Well, that was a nail-biter. The first bit of adversity that England has faced, and we managed to squeak through. With a dodgy penalty in extra time that was initially saved no less. But we're long overdue some good luck. Got to say I wasn't engrossed in this game in much the same way as I have for the last few of England's games. But the important thing is the result, and we're through to the final ready to be thumped by Italy. I think Denmark just ran out of steam in extra time - otherwise both teams were fairly well matched. But a major tournament final at Wembley - can't ask for a better opportunity than this. Italy will be a real challenge though - they may also have squeaked through their semi-final, but have clearly been the best team in the tournament. A few other random observations: I like the silver ball they've been using in these knockout games, I HATE the Football's Coming Home song - it sucks, glad they don't play a third-place game which is a total waste of time, now got to decide if I stay at home to watch the final or venture out to an English pub or sports bar to try to watch the final with some fellow English fans. I'll probably just do what I've done for every other England game, and stay at home. Maybe I should invite a few friends over?! No, I'll probably be too tense and not good company....
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
Monday, July 5, 2021
Eyeglasses
So when I own a pair of glasses that have been treated with a scratch resistant treatment, then I don't expect a big scratch to appear on one of my lenses in less than a year. Very annoying and disappointing. I believe they are still under guarantee so I think I can get a free replacement lens - but still a big pain in the ass to deal with.
Sunday, July 4, 2021
Happy Birthday America
... now why don't you arrest everyone setting off fireworks illegally. Especially the idiots setting them off when it's still light outside.
Saturday, July 3, 2021
Euro 2020: Quarter Final Thoughts
I'm going to write down my thoughts as I watch the England-Ukraine game.
- Straight up, let's face it our national anthem sucks. It's not inspiring in the same way that say the Italians is, which is why they might be playing so well. I assume we'll have to change it when the Queen finally dies - hopefully to something much more passionate.
- An early prediction - we should win. We should win comfortably, but I don't think it will work out that way. I think we will have a lot of possession in this game - so the key is going to be how effective we are at breaking down Ukraine. Which is why I think we should have played one more attacking midfielder instead of 2 defensive midfielders.
- Wow, goal. Nice start. I'm still not convinced by Harry Kane, but at least he's scoring now. Let's hope we don't just sit on our lead for 85 minutes now.
- Hmmm, England didn't defend that set play very well. That's probably going to be Ukraine's best opportunity to score, so that's a bit worrying.
- Ir's still early, but I don't like how slowly England are playing the ball about. Very little movement. Giving away possession easily. This is a worrying trend for England - I already feel like we're going to be holding on for most of the rest of the game (and only 15 minutes have gone).
- The game has got a bit messy, so some quick thoughts on the other quarter finals. Italy were surprisingly impressive against Belgium (or were Belgium surprisingly disappointing?), and have set up a tasty semi-final with Spain. Somehow Spain continue to progress despite lacking a clinical edge. And Denmark looked good. Again. They might indeed be the most dangerous team left.
- About 30 minutes gone now. You can see these glimpses of how good England could be if they inject some pace and movement into their game. But they so rarely show it - which is what makes them so frustrating to support. Ukraine haven't really shown much real threat yet - but I still feel they will have their chances (probably from set plays). Even the commentators are talking about how England look as though they're stuck in second gear. As they have been for most of the tournament.
- Another half-chance for England. We could really do with the security of a 2nd goal - Ukraine have opened up England a few times on our right.
- Half time. A good score, a less than convincing performance. This should come as absolutely no surprise. We need Jack Grealish in the 2nd half.
- My god, ESPN's studio coverage before the game and at halftime is absolutely abysmal. Again. Just for information, the "studio experts" for this particular game are Steve McManaman and Nedum Onuoha (who I had never heard of and don't recognize at all, even though he apparently played for Man City/Sunderland/QPR in the Premier League), and the host is one of the bland American presenters typical to ESPN, who I don't think had watched a single minute of "soccer" before this tournament begun.
- Wow, goal. A good start to the 1st half and now a good start to the 2nd half. Nice. Just what we needed to settle some nerves.
- It's quite surprising, and quite lucky, that England haven't really faced any real adversity yet. Not conceded a goal, no extra time, no injuries, no suspensions. Maybe this conservative way of playing isn't a bad thing - even though it makes our games so less enjoyable than everybody else.
- And another one. Surely we can't blow a 3 goal lead now. That was too easy.
- Time to bring in some of the squad players. Give them a run out - every outfield player should see at least some playing time. Good for team spirit. What a luxury to even be able to consider that.
- That's 4 now. And very lazy defending from Ukraine - I think they've given up. I think we should play more of our games in Rome.
- 20 minutes to go - let's keep our clean sheet. No stupid mistakes.
- Let's look ahead - Denmark is going to be a good test. They are playing well, they are motivated, but they are beatable. And I think we have the better players. And we're at home. But this will be a tighter game.
- I shall not be taking off my England top this afternoon.
- And that's the final whistle. I feel surprisingly deflated. Perhaps because I was geared up to lay into England in this post, but the result hasn't necessitated it - especially in this very one-sided and frankly quite boring 2nd half.
Friday, July 2, 2021
Reopening
On Wednesday, Washington state lifted all its COVID restrictions. Everything is allowed to open to full capacity and return to normal operations. I think there are some restrictions on very large indoor gatherings, but otherwise everything is good. I do wonder whether this is a rash decision? I guess time will tell. I don't think the state has reached that 70% vaccinated threshold. Fully vaccinated people are no longer required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors unless requested by the business. For example, I went to the dentists this week and was still asked to wear a mask. Unvaccinated people are still required to wear a mask - but no chance they will and no way to prove you are vaccinated, which makes the whole mask thing totally flawed. Unfortunately all the restrictions were lifted before this 4th July weekend, which means that everywhere is going to be really busy and the traffic is going to be awful this weekend as everyone makes up for not celebrating last year. We do have a statewide burn ban, but I bet a lot of people will ignore that. And a lot of people will definitely ignore the fireworks ban in a lot of areas - including mine. I have no doubts that various neighbors of mine - including immediate ones - will illegally set of fireworks.
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Weather Fallout
Finally, a relatively normal day weather-wise here - still quite warm, but clouds have pushed in so the sun didn't come out at all today. Time to assess the impact of the recent hot weather - and there was a casualty. A tree next to my driveway came down a few days ago and blocked my driveway - it had been dead for a while, but I had noticed it drooping on the hottest day and it came down the next day. Heard the crash, had absolutely no idea what it was initially - thought maybe a mini earthquake or something. Actually really lucky that it didn't bring down any of the electric cables going into my home. What else? Well, since the hot weather the local birdlife has been going crazy. Making a lot more noise, being a lot more active, generally behaving really strangely. And, regrettably, the crows came back yesterday evening and this morning. There were about 40 of them right outside my bedroom window making an absolute racket and driving me crazy - especially when they woke me up at sunrise this morning. I should have videoed them, and then you would have some idea of how bad it gets. No idea why they randomly congregate like that - they seem to have gone away, but now I dread when they'll be back next. I heard another tree come down somewhere nearby yesterday evening - I'm wondering if the crows somehow either cause or celebrate this destruction. Also, had another visitor as I was sitting on my back patio yesterday:
