Lottery

The bad news - I didn't win the Powerball lottery on Saturday.  The good news - neither did anyone else, so the jackpot has grown to something like $1.1 billion for Monday's drawing.  The fifth largest in history.  Of course I'll buy some tickets for this drawing - even if the statistical chance of winning is effectively zero (1 in 292.2 million - that's an awful lot of 0's after the decimal place).

Bucket List

I think the "Get busy living or get busy dying" line comes from The Shawshank Redemption.  And it's something that's been on my mind recently, because I don't think I've made - or am making - the most of my life.  I don't have the family commitments that my peers do, which should afford me a level of freedom that maybe they don't have.  But instead of taking advantage of that, I've become something of a homebody.  Which is less than ideal.  So I think I need to start putting together a bucket list.  Nothing stupid or unrealistic - but things I would be comfortable doing by myself, since it's highly likely that I'll end up having to do these things by myself.  And then actually completing items on that list.  A couple of basic examples - I want to see a NASCAR race.  I haven't been to see any motor-racing since I was a youngster.  There aren't any races from NASCAR's premier series in the Pacific Northwest, but there is a race in Portland in the second-tier series that I would consider going to next year (and I know this because the race occurred today and is currently on tv!).  Another example, I have never been to see a rodeo.  Yep, I know I've chosen some really redneck examples to add to my bucket list!  But there are a couple of big rodeos in Washington State at this time time of year - and it would be nice to experience this side of America, a side of America that I don't know well (think country music and cowboy hats), at least once.         

Another Money Drain

Oh no, there was another James Bond trading card set released this week.  The second this year.  Which inevitably means another drain on my resources.  Though this one doesn't seem like a priority - since it is centered (centred) solely on No Time To Die.  Not my favo(u)rite Bond film (official ranking of Bond films TBD - though No Time To Die is definitely in the bottom half).  However, it still includes at least one autograph of someone who I don't already have (in this case the director Cary Joji Fukunaga).  Which means I obviously have to get that trading card, no matter the cost.  Clearly trading cards are an expensive ripoff, but I am a sucker.  

Nothing

It's 11.45 pm, I'm tired, I forgot to post anything earlier today.  I don't know why I persist with making this a daily blog.  It's not like I've got loads to talk about with my wild and crazy life.  I don't know - the very nature of writing a blog, and the lack of reciprocity, can be frustrating.  But perhaps I'm just in a bad mood because my job is getting me down, America is getting me down, and I'm depressed.   

Monsters

I swear they're getting bigger.

This one was about the size of a hand.  That's downright terrifying. 

eBay Hate

I think I need to take a break from eBay.  I keep on getting outbid on cards that I want. and it is extremely frustrating.  Yes, maybe it is a good thing that I'm probably saving a lot of money.  But I have a list of cards that I REALLY want - and that I'm prepared to pay to get these.  A couple of these have come up for auction over the last couple of days, and even though I put in very generous bids I still lost out on both.  I'm honestly surprised that someone wanted them more than me, and was prepared to pay a lot more than me.  How dare they.  Maybe I should switch away from collecting trading cards, and instead go for posters or movie props or something similar.  I know there is a Prop Store auction coming up that includes some James Bond stuff - think guns, casino chips, suits and suchlike.  They are not cheap, but are probably a great investment and makes for a better collection to display.   

Banner

 Palace fans are the best.

I strongly endorse both the banner and the newfound bitter rivalry with Forest.

Lamb

I don't know why America hasn't really embraced lamb as a meat - it is almost impossible to get at the grocery store.  And when you can, it is not cheap.  Unusually they had some lamb shoulder on sale the other week, so I got some.  I had it tonight, and the cut was so disappointing.  Too much bone, too much fat and not enough meat - I ended up gnawing at the bones, like an animal, just to get as much meat as I could.  It just made me miss roast lamb even more than I already do.   

Extreme Heat Warning

Apparently the summer weather is not going away without a fight.  We are currently under an extreme heat warning through to Tuesday.  That's right, not just any heat warning - but an EXTREME heat warning.  And it certainly felt like it today.  The inside of my house is like a furnace.  If I'm going to do any kind of hiking this weekend, it's either going to be very early or very late.  Less than ideal.  And the other thing the hot weather seems to have done is cause spiders to come out of hiding.  I've been seeing them everywhere - inside and outside my house.  And apparently they like to come out in the middle of the night.  I fell asleep on my sofa last night, and dragged myself to bed around 3 am.  When I went into my bedroom, I saw about 5 pretty decent sized spiders having around on the walls and ceiling - kind of freaked me out.  The rest of my fitful sleep that night was haunted by nightmares of spiders crawling all over me.

Feeder fail

I bought a couple of ant-proof and bee-proof hummingbird feeders recently.  At least, that is what they were advertised as.  That has proved to be a big fat lie.  They are not bee-proof.  Indeed, they seem to have attracted more bees than any other hummingbird feeder I've ever had.  They do the job by having deeper feeding ports that prevent the bees from reaching the nectar from the top.  Unfortunately, thanks to a stupid design flaw, they are able to access the nectar underneath the feeding ports via a gap between 2 components of the feeder.  So although the feeding ports are accessible to the hummingbirds, I don't think they use them thanks to the presence of the bees.  Which kind of defeats the object.  Sigh.   

Chromebook

I don't know what the expiration date is for a Chromebook, but my current one - indeed the one I'm currently writing this blog on - has run into problems.   The sound has stopped working.  As someone who watches way too many YouTube videos, this is a problem.  Now I do like owning a Chromebook - they are quicker, cheaper and less of a hassle than a laptop.  But after about 5 years of use, now I think I need to get a replacement one.  And I think this time it would be good to not go for the cheapest of the cheap models, but instead something a bit more sturdy and that will last me a bit longer.  But it feels like yet another needless expense.    

Portrait

Apparently this portrait is currently adorning the Oval Office.

It seems appropriate as Trump and his cronies burn the US to the ground.    

Overcast

It feels like summer is quickly winding down - the sun is already setting around 8 pm.  It feels like only a week or so ago that it was still light past 9 pm.  Not because I particularly want to celebrate my birthday - that's not my thing - but I did take the day off work.  However, with classic inevitability, I picked by far the worst day of the week - an overcast day totally non-conducive to taking a bit of a drive to a photogenic hiking spot.  That is disappointing, but I will try to make up for it with better weather forecast for the weekend.   

Paywall

Well this sucks.  I was browsing the BBC website today, and all of a sudden I was paywalled and couldn't access any more articles.  I'm not prepared to shell out $50 a year or whatever it is.  So that's yet another website that I can no longer fully access - it's not good that people don't have access to decent journalism.  I bet the right-wing news sites don't have paywalls.  It seemed like I am still able to access the articles on the BBC News app on my phone, but I imagine a paywall will also go up on that soon as well.  I can live with only being able to see the news headlines, but if I also can't access BBC Sports articles then we have a real problem.  

A TV Recommendation

It's a kind of quiet time of year for decent new shows on telly.  I can't comment on Alien: Earth because I haven't started watching it yet, although by all accounts it is very good.  So instead, I'm going to recommend the most recent entry in the Dexter universe, Dexter: Resurrection.  It's a welcome return to form: enjoyably over the top and very watchable.  Admittedly, I'm a Dexter fan - I've watched all the previous series, including the spin-offs.  But this is the best Dexter show in several years.  I was skeptical about bringing Dexter back from the dead yet again, but I'm glad to have been proved wrong.     

Nobel Peace Prize

If Trump ever wins the Nobel Peace Prize - something he so desperately and brazenly desires - then humanity is even more messed than I already thought.  Putin is so obviously stringing him along, it is embarrassing.  And when you initiate the kind of abhorrent domestic immigration policies that his administration is currently doing, or implicitly support the Israeli genocide like what his administration is currently doing, then to even consider him for a peace prize is farcical and offensive.  But the world seems so messed up right now, that nothing seems beyond the realms of possibility.  Even Hillary Clinton has said she would nominate Trump for the peace prize if he could bring the Russia/Ukraine conflict to a peaceful end.  But, astutely, only if no Ukrainian territory is ceded to Russia - yeah, like Putin would ever agree to that.  Trump's summit with Putin was, and was always going to be, a complete waste of time.          

Rain

Since the early morning, it's been raining almost constantly here.  Not a heavy and short tropical downpour that you might expect at this time of year, but a persistent steady rainfall.  If it wasn't so humid, it would feel very autumnal.  At least it has brought the temperatures somewhat down.  But as I write this about 10.30 pm, I've heard what sounded like a heavy branch snapping off from one of the trees nearby.  There is some wind, but it's not particularly strong.  It's too dark to see anything right now, so I guess I'll check the damage out tomorrow.  Hopefully nothing to worry about.       

Autographs #2

"My name is Pussy Galore."

"I must be dreaming."

Classic.

Trump Anxiety Disorder

It's not an official term used by mental health experts, but the anxiety and depression that I - and many others - are currently experiencing due to the Trump administration can politely be called Trump Anxiety Disorder.   Some of the symptoms include: 

- Feelings of worry, tension, and irritability

- Headaches, insomnia, and stomach problems

- Difficulty concentrating, obsessive thoughts, or feeling overwhelmed

- Changes in sleep or appetite

- Feelings of sadness, anxiety, anger, or hopelessness about politics

- In some extreme cases, individuals have reported having suicidal thoughts. 

I haven't quite reached the level of Trump making me feel suicidal, but everything else checks out.  And we've still got another 3 years of this.  At least.  Sh*t.

Man with No Name

I'm very happy with some recent acquisitions:

The last versions of these I owned were videotaped from the telly some 30 years ago! 

UEFA Cabal

The joy of Palace winning the Community Shield on Sunday - a match to decide the best team in England, and definitely not a meaningless pre-season game - was quickly quelled today by losing their appeal on European competition demotion.  A shockingly poor but shockingly predictable decision.  Given the amount of "bigger" clubs running under multi-club ownership models, or breaking all kinds of other rules, that have avoided any sort of similar punishment, it's clear this was a fix.  Absolutely disgusting, absolutely disgraceful, and a classic example of UEFA double standards and picking on the small club.  Personally, I hate Forest and their (actual multi-club) owner for his involvement, and not uncoincidentally being the biggest beneficiary of the decision - a situation that makes it stink of conspiracy, hypocrisy and corruption.        

Trail Cam - Jul-Aug 2025

Just checked my trail cam, and a lot of deer and coyote action over the last month or so.  No surprise, since I've seen both of these with my own eyes recently - including a pair of coyotes just the other day.  Sadly, not included here, my landlord's cat is appearing way too frequently on my trail cam.  I do my best to scare the cat off, but I'm not sure I'm succeeding too well.  He does appear to be quite a competent killer - in a few shots he appears to have a mouse or something in his mouth.  Perhaps he can try to target the moles who are once again menacing my yard. 

To Sell or Not To Sell

After my company reported higher than expected sales last week, the share price promptly increased by nearly 10% - to their highest ever value.  As someone who participates in the employee stock purchase plan, this is obviously good news.  But then the question becomes should I cash in some of my shares at this valuation or not?  Obviously there is no way to predict the whims of the market in the future.  Especially under this administration.  But I don't think I will.  My approach is only to sell stock when I really need it.  Like, for example, if I get laid off.  Indeed, if I get laid off then this stock could well become my main source of income for a while.  So let's hope the stock price doesn't come crashing down anytime soon!        

Sick

A rough day today as I woke up about 4 am with a migraine, a temperature and not feeling good.  Impossible for me to get back to sleep.  And then things got worse as I experienced increased salivation, and then promptly vomited.  Well, more like dry heaved as not much was coming out.  I have absolutely no idea of the cause of this sudden sickness - I hadn't been drinking, and I didn't eat anything last night out of the ordinary.  But at least felt better after vomiting.  And was able to go back to bed for a brief period of fitful sleep before properly getting up for the day.  I should probably have taken a sick day off work, but didn't bother because it's not like I had any meetings or anything urgent to work on.  But definitely feeling a lot less than 100% today.  I'm sure I'll take it easy this weekend - but that is what I do most weekends anyway! 

Autographs #1

Since I've got so many, I think I'm going to start posting photos of some of my James Bond autographs.  For starters, here is one you might recognize (one of many I've got from this particular actor)! 

Forgive the quality of photo, but this particular autograph was authenticated and it's in a sealed packet which doesn't make it easy to photograph.  

Random

My current random go-to YouTube channel is a food delivery rider in London.  I don't know why it's calming to watch a video of a guy driving his moped around London delivering food items - perhaps it's his laid back commentary - but it somehow works.  It makes me miss London.  Not necessarily living in London - although some of the places he delivers to seem very nice - but more the energy and activity of a big city.  In my time in Seattle, I've gradually moved further and further out of the city - swapping urban living for suburban living.  Obviously there are pros and cons to this, but I do occasionally miss the convenience of being able to quickly take a bus into downtown Seattle.  I'm not sure I ever really made the most of the opportunities afforded by being able to do this, but I certainly don't now.  However one thing watching the videos makes clear is why I have never, and will never, drive in London.  What a nightmare.

Quiet

It's been a really quiet last couple of weeks at work.  I don't know which is worse - having nothing to do, or having too much to do.  I know my workload is always up and down, but I really don't care for the downs.  I want my brain to be engaged in doing something, and when it isn't then I start to feel very restless, very unsettled and very unfulfilled.  Having too much work can be quite stressful, but there is also a certain level of stress you get when you have too little - especially when the threat of layoffs is hanging over you.  I don't have any vacation planned until October - for my sanity, I might need to take at least a few days off before then.      

Smoky

It was a really hazy today, as wildfire smoke poured into our region.  The kind of unpleasant day where you could see and smell the smoke in the air.  Normally we can blame Canada for any smoke, but not this time - this is pure homegrown MAGA-approved wildfire smoke made in America.  Apparently it is coming from the Bear Gulch Fire on the Olympic peninsula west of Seattle - one of 7 active "large" wildfires in Washington.  I'm not sure whether this is a better or worse wildfire season than normal, but this is definitely the first day of the year where the bad air quality is really noticeable.  The kind of day you don't want to be exercising outside for long and breathing in huge lungfuls of particle-laden air.   

Insect Bites

I went on what I thought was a fairly innocuous forest walk yesterday.  A nice and quiet trail that I have been to before.  It was an overcast, almost misty, morning - which made for quite a spooky walk.  At one point I was freaked out because I thought I heard a bear - but I suspect it was just my over-reactive imagination.

But later in the day, I discovered that I was covered with insect bites on both my legs and arms.  I didn't see or feel anything during the walk.  What made it even more disappointing is that I had sprayed myself with bug spray before going on the walk.  Apparently it didn't work.  It is quite old bug spray, and I suspect it has expired and lost it's effectiveness.  So that is something I need to rectify before insects suck me totally dry of blood.   

Mystery

I thought I had quite a thorough handle on the the James Bond trading card market.  But there is one thing I don't get.  Why are Ana de Armas trading cards so expensive?  Of all the people to sign - and there are some big names that have signed for the first time recently (Ralph Fiennes and Christopher Walken) - I don't really get why her cards go for the most.  And it's not just her autographed cards, but even her non-autographed cards seem to go for significantly more.  Is this just because she's apparently Tom Cruise's new girlfriend?  It's not like she had a big role in No Time to Die (which I need to rewatch - I don't really remember much about the film).  Is she the next big thing?  I wonder if people perhaps think she might lead a Bond spin-off (she has already led a John Wick spin-off).  Whatever the reason, it's extremely frustrating because I have to pay so much more for her cards just to complete a set - even just a base set.     

Noise Update

I was just thinking to myself that generally so far this summer I haven't been bothered by neighbo(u)r noise as much as I have in previous years.  Certainly compared to last year - fortunately the Spanish-speaking family living across the road at the bottom of my driveway don't appear to have the really loud dune buggy that they had last year.  Thank god.  Of course, I'm never going to get the peace and solitude I really want - I can't afford to live in the kind of house where you get that.  This summer, it's mostly been construction noise from a house down the road (that they seems to have been working on for several years now, surely it must be done soon!).  But just this week - and particularly today - my neighbo(u)r across the gully has been out doing god knows what with his stupid backhoe (JCB).  I have absolutely no clue what he is doing, and why he is doing it, but it is bloody loud and bloody annoying.  If this keeps up through the weekend and into next week, I'm going to have to say something.  I feel like I might be the Karen in this situation.  That doesn't make me feel good.