Prize

Here is what I won from my March Madness bracket:

A cap, a pair of shorts and a couple of t-shirts - all Seattle Supersonics branded.  Seattle Supersonics being the basketball team who ceased to exist just before I very first moved to Seattle (though there is frequent talk that if the NBA expands then they might be revived).  I guess because I won this in a basketball competition, I should have expected some basketball merch - and I'm okay with this.  And this is all good quality clothing, with the added bonus that everything seems to fit me good.  I assume they just picked it out from their store, because everything had it's price label on - the items came to about $200.  Not bad for 5 minutes of work filling in my bracket.   

Notes to Self

The next time I travel back to the UK, a couple of things I need to remember:

- Try to get an aisle seat rather than a window seat.  For a long flight such as this, and a small bladder like I have, then there are few worse feelings than being trapped in the window seat needing to go when the person next to you is fast asleep and there isn't enough room for me to get past.

-  Do not plan to buy the sweets you want at Heathrow, get them before you go to the airport.  WHSmith's selection at the airport is pitiable (and expensive).  For example, I know that in the past that they have stocked Fruit Gums, and I was banking on getting some at the airport as this is my snack of choice for road trips, but did they have any?  Did they heck.

Song of the Week #107

It's time to get personal.  I think the next few selections will probably feature tunes from albums that I own.  So expect a lot of stuff from the 90's and 00's.  Like this one.  And, bonus fact, this band was actually formed in Seattle - so I might have heard this song first on local radio.

Sobering

After a couple of weeks of staying in warm and welcoming homes, it was quite sobering to come back to my cold and quiet abode here.  Without expecting much in the way of human companionship, it has made me more determined than ever to have a canine companion of my own one day.  It's also striking how different my lifestyle is compared to friends and family - I don't live a full and busy life, I don't base my life around family, work and/or hobbies.  I kind of base it around nothing.  It should make my life more stress-free, but instead I end up finding fault in the little things.  And I think it results in my life being a lot less fulfilling.  And that is kind of disappointing, and something I need to reconsider.  But I know I can't compare a day during the last few weeks against a typical day.  I'm not going to go out every day, I'm not going to eat out or have meals cooked for me every day, I am eventually going to have to do some work as part of my job, etc.  So I should just appreciate the fact that I had a very enjoyable last few weeks, but that was a vacation and now I'm not on vacation.  I clearly need more time off!  Another reason why I really want to take a sabbatical from work.       

Tired

I'm back.  Am I really expected to work tomorrow?  I doubt I'm going to get much done.  Between a not very good last night of sleep in the UK, absolutely no sleep during a nearly 10 hour flight (which felt a lot longer), and the fact that I'm now writing this at 11.30 pm local time - that is an awful long time without some decent shuteye.  No wonder I'm so tired.  And so much to do tomorrow - yikes....    

Checking In

I nearly forgot to post something today.  I think that's because I'm slightly discombobulated due to not being able to check in online for my flight tomorrow.  And that's frustrating because of all the bells and whistles I had to go through today in order to be eligible to check online.  I had to get a negative COVID test, which had to be taken via a supervised virtual video visit.  Then British Airways pushed this app on which you download all the required documentation.  But then when it came to actually checking in, absolutely no reference was made to this app at all.  It's quite bizarre.  But I've not been able to check in on my return flight to the US before - I think because the US is super stringent on having airlines check that all passengers have the correct documentation for entry.  And if that also includes COVID documentation now, I fear this could mean some big lines at the check in desk tomorrow.  The hope of course is that I can't check in because I don't have a seat currently assigned because I'm getting an upgrade.  But I fear that is wishful thinking, and I don't want to needlessly raise my expectations.       

London

A trip into London yesterday - and a chance to brave the crowds.  Almost as if we weren't still in the midst of a pandemic!  A quick trip to one of my favorite museums - the Imperial War Museum - before meeting up with a couple of friends and going on a bit of a walk around central London, naturally with a few pub stops on the way.  It was strikingly busy with tourists, and there might have been even more people than normal, thanks to it being St George's Day (which I had absolutely no idea about until getting to Trafalgar Square, and seeing they had some kind of family event going on).  It's been a long time since I've been somewhere crowded, so I must confess to not feeling entirely comfortable walking around with no regard to social distancing and mask-wearing.  Perhaps that is because I haven't yet reached that level of acceptance with COVID that others have - which is perhaps reflective of how it still feels in the US compared to the UK.

The Latics

Oh dear, I see that Oldham Athletic got relegated today.  But not just any relegation, this was a relegation out of the Football League.  Yikes.  A sad state of affairs for the team that I used to support, though that feels like a long time ago.  In fact, it was about 30 years ago - in those heady years of the early 90's when they played an attractive style of football, played a couple of seasons in the first years of the Premier League, reached FA Cup semifinals and had that plastic pitch that other teams hated to play on.  I have to confess I haven't followed their downward progress in more recent years, I didn't even know which league they were in.  From what I've been reading, it seems like a bit of a train wreck with a string of managers, financial crises and dodgy ownership.  So, fun times for the fans then.        

Newlands Corner

Some photos from a sunny trip to Newlands Corner yesterday - shockingly NOT owned and run by the National Trust.  Even though I think the views here are even better than the Devil's Punch Bowl.  But we only completed half of the long loop - which was plenty demanding enough with the elevation change, and some curious cattle - so I'd like to come back here again to complete the other half.  Or maybe just stick to the short loop!

Driving

I don't think I've driven in the UK now for about 15 years.  And I haven't driven a manual for about 20 years.  I don't think I'll ever drive manual again (and, in my humble opinion, the US has got it right when it comes to the prevalence of automatic cars - they are so much easier to drive).  And I really have no desire to drive in the UK any time soon.  In fact, based on the narrow roads, an overabundance of over-complicated roundabouts, a ridiculous number of speed cameras, and a major inability to judge road position, I think I am a little bit petrified of driving here ever again.  I am used to driving on the different side of the road, on the different side of the car, and on roads that are plenty wide enough for the type of car I drive.  And not having to deal with so many roads with parked cars on them, and my inability to judge whether what is left of the road is wide enough for 2 cars to pass each other.  So I just want to say a BIG thank you to all the people that have driven me around in the times I've been back in the last 15 years...      

Song of the Week #106

I've come to realize that thanks to the BBC music library and the various Absolute Radio stations, you're probably exposed to a much wider range of music than I am.  So while some of these selections are songs I might have heard once or twice (if that) in the past, there's a good chance you've heard them more recently on the radio.  But this isn't going to stop me doing them.  For example, I imagine this one gets some play on Absolute Radio 90's.  The 90's had some weird music - this one shouldn't work, but somehow it does.

Devil's Punch Bowl

Yet another National Trust destination today, Devil's Punch Bowl.  But this is actually one I've been to before.  For somewhere that can be quite scenic (at least for Surrey!), I am reminded how difficult it is to get a decent photo here.  But it does have some nice walking trails, which are pleasantly peaceful on a weekday once you leave the car park area.

Palace 0-2 Chelsea

Now that I've had 24 hours to reflect on the game, it was a disappointing loss and a disappointing performance.  Still no FA Cup on our resume.  But it was good to briefly catch up and watch the game with my cousins, and fellow Palace fans, in a local pub.  It's been a long time since I've watched any games in a communal setting.  That is mainly because of the time difference and because of where I live - I'd have to drive somewhere, which means no drinking.  But this does make me want to watch more games with fellow fans - the England vs USA World Cup match later this year immediately springs to mind (even if I'm the only England fan in a sea of Yanks).  But more than that, I think I'd like to see a match at Selhurst Park at one of my future visits back here.  Failing that, a match at The Stoop would also scratch that itch.  It's been a while since I've seen any live sports in person, and I kind of miss it.     

Prima Donna

There is only one person who is the center of attention while staying at my parents' home, and it isn't me.  Nor is it, strictly speaking, a person.

How could you ever say no to this adorable fuzzball. 

Parakeets

I am perhaps stunned by my ignorance, but I had absolutely no idea that there were wild parakeets in England.  So imagine my surprise when I saw, and heard, these big green birds flying around parts of Surrey last week.  How long have they been there?  How prevalent are they?  How have I never seen them before, or even known about their presence?  Some googling was necessary, and the Wikipedia entry about them makes for some interesting reading.  In particular, that they seem to have become more widespread in the mid-90's, and that they are concentrated in suburban London and the Home Counties.  I'm not sure what to make about all this.  I've got to believe they are an invasive species.  And they are certainly pretty loud and pretty noisy, which can't be good for other birds and animals.  And, if I'm going to be honest, I find their presence here somewhat unnatural.  I don't think I would object to a culling.     

Crazy Golf

There is something fundamentally tragic and humbling about not being able to beat a 7 year old and a 10 year old in a competitive game of minigolf.  I am clearly not the awesome player I thought I was.  Quite the opposite in fact.  I had plans of taking up golf when I retire - but I already had some serious doubts about my golfing abilities.  But now that I've also proven I have next to no minigolf skills, I can consider these dreams well and truly shattered.  What a disappointment.  What sport am I going to take up in my retirement now?  It seems almost inevitable it's going to be Bowls (though I can't even beat a 7 year old and a 10 year old in a games of boules either).

Claremont Landscape Garden

No photos taken today, so a couple from another National Trust property we went to yesterday - Claremont Landscape Garden.  The kind of place where you might go to if you live locally and you have annual membership, or if you're going for a walk with your nephew and niece, otherwise I'm not sure the entry fee is worth it.  

Song of the Week #105

A party classic from the early 80's for today's selection!

Hampton Court Palace

A visit to Hampton Court Palace today, one of the best day trips to do from Central London - and even more convenient when you have family living nearby!  Don't get me wrong, I like coming here with my sister/niece/nephew.  But this is definitely the kind of place I'd like to come back to by myself one day, when it's quieter (i.e. not during a school holiday and when there isn't an Easter hunt for young kids going on!), and take my time going round (maybe via an audio tour) and spend some time composing some quality photos.    

Polesden Lacey

A few photos from a trip to the National Trust property Polesden Lacey today.  A rather nice house surrounded by grounds overrun with kids doing an easter egg hunt.  But with some pleasant walking trails (especially on a sunny day like this), and some quintessentially English countryside views.  There can be no question that I am visiting at the time of school holidays, but at least that means I get to see more of my niece and nephew!

Masks

At Sea-Tac airport, I am federally obligated to wear a face mask.  In the air, I am federally obligated to wear a face mask.  In both cases, the mask-wearing is quite strictly enforced.  So it was quite disconcerting to arrive at Heathrow today, and discover that - even in the terminal - the wearing of a face mask is minimal at best - and certainly not required or enforced at all.  And when later on I went to a supermarket, face masks were practically non-existent.  It's an entirely different mindset here than in the US.  Even with the indoor mask mandate having been lifted in most US states now, you still see a considerable proportion of customers wearing a face mask.  That's not the case here, where seemingly given the choice hardly anybody will wear a face mask.  I was planning to wear one on public transport and suchlike while I'm here, and I think I still will, regardless of the odd looks I'm bound to get. 

Trepidation

A quick entry before I head to the airport.  It looks like I'll be leaving some bad weather behind - we just had a hailstorm, and now it's absolutely tipping down.  Let's hope none of this affects the flight departure time.  I should be excited about this trip, but I'm surprisingly anxious.  Perhaps it's because it's been such a long time since I last took a flight (pre-pandemic) and so I'm not entirely sure what to expect at the airport - stricter controls, longer queues, etc.  Perhaps it's because I'm not keen about wearing a mask almost continuously for the next 12+ hours.  Perhaps it's because I've overpacked my bags.  Perhaps it's because I've been spending so much time at home over the last few years that I am experiencing some separation anxiety.  Perhaps it's because I'm nervous about catching COVID when I'm back - though I won't cross that bridge until I ever get to it...    

Checking In

I just checked in for my flight to London tomorrow, and it doesn't appear that I'm going to get an upgrade - which is disappointing.  I "think" when I've been upgraded before, I haven't been able to assign myself a seat.  But this time I have got a seat given to me - although I had absolutely no choice about where it was located, since there were no other choices available when I tried to change it (it's an aisle seat, when I actually prefer a window seat but whatever).  I'm in premium economy, so at least I've got a little bit of extra space.  And I'm in the front row of the premium economy section, so I may even have a little bit more leg room.  In actuality I think it's been a long time since I got upgraded, so it just may not be a thing they do now - unless of course you pay for it.  The problem is that once you've had a taste of business class, you want it again.       

Bracketology

I think I mentioned in a blog post a few week's ago that I had completed a March Madness bracket, and that it hadn't started well.  Well with the winner having been decided this week, it is time to revisit my bracket.  And if I tell you that I somehow miraculously picked the correct winner, then you might have an inkling of where this is going.  In fact, I correctly picked 3 of the Final 4.  Ultimately, I finished with a ranking of about 32,000 and finished up in the 99.8% percentile.  Yes, I did better than 99.8% of the people who completed a bracket - and with minimal to no knowledge of college basketball.  Quite stunning really, I will never do this well again.  My only disappointment is that I wish I had entered more groups.  I only entered one which was set up by a local retailer - and I finished joint top, so I think I've won a prize!     

Song of the Week #104

What's this now?  A contemporary song, released in the last year?  My oh my, I haven't chosen many of those.  But I've heard this tune a few times on the radio - and I liked it enough to Shazam it so that I could get the name of the artist (an app which I've only used a handful of times).  I listen to an alternative music station, but I'm not sure I'd call this alternative - maybe more electropop or dream pop.  Either way, I like the chilled out vibe of this song, despite (or because of?) it's simplicity - and you can't go wrong with some 80's-type synth.  I don't think this band is very big, and I'm not sure if they ever will be - I listened to a few other tracks of theirs and they all sound quite similar - but one to keep an eye out for.  

The 1%

A friend who used to work for my company pointed me to this little tidbit.  Our CEO earned $19.2 million last year.  Which is obscene.  Some quick internet searching revealed that last year he made $19 million, and in his first year as our new CEO he made $29.1 million.  And in that time, we have spent billions of dollars acquiring companies and their drugs, all of which have flopped.  And we've also seen our stock price tank.  It is really disheartening.  Especially when our company is seemingly in a much worse place now than when he joined.  No wonder a lot of good people have been leaving.         

Palace 3-0 Arsenal

With little work to do, I took the opportunity to watch the entire Palace game during my lunch break.  And I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with how well they performed against Arsenal - particularly in the first half.  Just completely overpowered Arsenal with their energy, their competitiveness and their desire.  We had the better players and the better team.  Impressive.  The dour, solid and unspectacular Palace team of recent years has been replaced by this younger, more energetic, more attacking team.  And I like it.  We've already scored as many goals so far this season as we did over the entire last season.  And the future looks good.     

Episode IX

Well I finally got round to watching The Rise of Skywalker this weekend.  And, frankly, it sucked.  Maybe not as much as I feared - the last half hour at least partially redeemed for the drivel that preceded it.  And we're not talking a Jar Jar Binks level of suck.  But for a Star Wars film, it was disappointingly boring and formulaic.  Worse, it lacked any spirit (which is ironic for a film about "the Force").  Star Wars at its best was when you were emotionally invested in the characters - but I just didn't really care for anyone in this one.  I think we just have to face the truth, the Star Wars universe is not the pop culture phenomenon it used to be.  2.25 stars.  

Coasting

There was an article on the BBC website this week about "coasting" workers who have checked out of their jobs.  And it really resonated with me, because that is exactly how I feel.  As the article said, "rather than quit, more and more employees are happy just to get by and collect their salaries".  Yep.  I can appreciate that.  As I can about some of the typical workdays described in the article: periodically check your inbox, attend the occasional meeting, watch YouTube; brief bursts of work interspersed with prolonged bouts of "cyberloafing", listening to comedy podcasts and reading.  If you substitute reading for watching telly, then that absolutely describes my typical workday over the last few years.  And apparently this is quite a popular phenomenon.  I don't particularly like this - I'd rather be in a job and a profession that I care about and I'm engaged with.  But I'd much rather coast than get stressed out from overwork and burnout.    

Here is a link to the article:

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220329-the-coasting-workers-whove-checked-out-of-their-jobs

Group B

I totally forgot that the World Cup draw took place this morning (local time) until I received loads of e-mails from various friends and colleagues.  So Group B looks like this:

England

United States

Iran

Wales/Scotland/Ukraine

Yes, everyone was very much looking forward to the England vs US game.  In fact, most of the Americans I heard from were very happy with the draw - personally I think their optimism is totally unfounded.  I will be extremely disappointed if England don't top this group.  Although there are no obvious groups of death, I still think at least one of the fancied sides will shockingly not get through the group stages - let's just hope it isn't us.  The England-US game is being played on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, which is a holiday.  I don't know how the time difference will work out - I think most of the games will be on early my time - but this could easily and probably will be the most watched "soccer" game in US history.  Let's hope we do better against them than in 2010 (we should do, from what I've seen of the US team they are really not all that).  As for the other teams, I don't know anything about Iran but I don't see them as a threat.  And same with whoever the 4th team is.  The most striking thing about this group is that it is clearly the most politically charged - US and Iran are strong enemies, US and England are strong allies, we all know about Ukraine, and an all-British tie would be tasty.  But with the tournament being held at this unusual time of the year - and in the middle of a league campaign - I think injuries and squad depth could be important, and I think we have that in our favor.