Footy Update

Well, 4 defeats in a row – so much for Palace’s hopes of finishing in the top 10.  I’m just glad that we’ve accumulated enough points to hopefully avoid a relegation scrap.  At least the performance against Chelsea was good, and we managed to find the net.  This was one of the few games that was actually decent to watch – with the lack of crowds, some of the games have been real duds.  So as much as I like the games being spread out during the week – and they are great to have on in the background whilst I’m working – unfortunately most of them have not been worth it.  The lack of atmosphere has sometimes resulted in a lack of intensity – and without the intensity, the game really suffers.  I don’t know, was finishing off this season worth it?  Definitely if you were a Liverpool fan – the thought of them being denied the title was hilarious.  And if you were to get relegated, I think you’d be really pissed off with the circumstances.  But I’m glad for any sports right now – certainly whilst still without any of the big American sports returning yet.  Hence why I’ve also been watching an inordinate amount of Aussie rules football recently.  I’ve added watching a live game of this on my bucket list. 

America the Not So Beautiful

There is still so much of the US that I want to explore and see.  However, there is also so much of the US that I am not in the least bit interested in going to.  Here are 5 cities on that list:

- Detroit
- Philadelphia
- Miami
- New Orleans
- Cleveland

Aromatherapy

It seems that whatever was making my bedroom stink of a moldy/rotten smell has gone - thank god.  I still have no idea what it is.  I am convinced that it was something on the outside of the house just outside my bedroom window, like mold/moss or similar.  My landlord reckons it was coming from a dilapidated house a few lots over, which it looks like some people are starting to restore (construction noise alert...).  But the fact that it comes and goes seasonally around the same time of year would suggest that it is some kind of pollen or spore that just really disagrees with my sense of smell.  Either way, it didn't stop me from splashing out loads of money on various things to try to fix the issue - whether it be mold remover, scented candles, potpourri, or various air fresheners.  But perhaps my best purchase was an air diffuser, because I'm still using it even though the stink has long gone.  I feel like I'm only just starting to learn and experiment with the different scented oils you can use in these things - some of which can be quite therapeutic, and hopefully will help me sleep better.  I'm liking peppermint, orange, grapefruit, even lavender - a scent that can be totally disgusting and overpowering in a plug-in air freshener - isn't bad.     

Fourth of July

An interesting Fourth of July this year - what with all the big fireworks displays having been cancelled.  Unfortunately, I think this is going to mean lots of people setting off fireworks in their own backyards.  I've been hearing them for a few nights now (and during the day - which is just stupid and pointless), and I think it's going to be absolutely terrible tonight - even though their legality in our neighborhood is extremely questionable.  And on top of this, my landlord/neighbor is having a big party.  The music started at around midday, and I imagine is going to last until well past midnight.  At least they warned me - and invited me - but I have no desire to join their large gathering - where I suspect no one will be wearing masks or practicing social distancing.  Especially because I think their kids - along with all their kid's friends - are there, which is a recipe for spreading the virus.  Instead went out for a walk this afternoon, and I'm going to try to get up early tomorrow to go for another walk - when hopefully there won't be so many people on the trails.   

Blitzkreig

Oh my god, the mole or moles in my yard have gone crazy this last week.  Another 10 molehills have popped up in the last few days alone - it's got so bad that I ran out of poison pellets twice this week, not that they seem to be making a jot of difference.  The ultimate insult was where my landlord put down a scissor trap.  A couple of massive molehills have appeared either side of the trap - almost like the mole knew the trap was there and is taking the piss.  There does seem to be quite a comprehensive network of tunnels in my yard, which apparently also extends into my landlord's yard.  It's shocking - this is by far the worst I've seen it.  I am clearly losing the war - and I might need to change tactics.  I've been thinking about getting an air gun to deal with some annoyingly loud crows waking me up in the early hours with their incessant cawing, maybe I also need to start hunting moles?  Not that I've ever seen a live one. 

Passing the Time

I have become quite addicted to geoguessr.com.  There is a certain sense of satisfaction in being able to work out exactly where you are based on a Google Maps view (after about 1/2 hour scrolling about trying to find clues!).  Check it out if you've got some spare time - you can sign-up for free.   

Punchable Faces

I want to talk about punchable faces.  These are the faces of random famous people who for indiscernible, or discernible, reasons I just want to punch.  These are sometimes obvious - consider Trump, Mitch McConnell, Sean Hannity, etc.  Some are less obvious - a long-term one of mine is Gary Lineker, who is probably a perfectly nice guy but I would like nothing more than to punch him in the face.  But I kind of wonder how unique this phenomenon is - are the same people that I think have punchable faces the sample people that you think have punchable faces?  Do you even think that people have punchable faces?  What attributes makes a punchable face?  I'd say it's not necessarily a physical thing, but some attribute of the person in mind.  Smugness is a notable factor for me.  But sometimes it's more of a mystery.  Consider the following recent example I encountered:

Yes, he's an Aussie Rules football player - which probably means that no one reading this has any clue who he is.  But to me, he totally has a punchable face - is that a hint of smugness I detect?  What do you think?