Euro 2024

Is it only a week until Euro 2024 starts?  Good grief.  Already?!  I believe Fox Sports have the broadcast rights over here, and I imagine they are going to air all the games.  I fear they might use US commentators, which would be a disaster, but we shall see.  Though how many games I will watch I don't know.  Because I must confess a serious amount of indifference to this tournament.  I think England's chances are overrated - as somewhat confirmed by today's friendly - and I'm not prepared to get invested in our chances and inevitably get let down.  It would be funny if England are already knocked out by the time I'm back in the UK - I fly back on the day of their last group stage game.  

A TV Recommendation

I've literally just finished watching the first season of this show - and when I say literally, I mean literally about 10 minutes ago.  And it's terrific.  I recommend watching The Bear.  A critically-acclaimed "comedy-drama", that streams on Hulu over here so I have no idea how you watch it in the UK (Disney+?).  Either way, do recommend you try to go out of your way to watch it.  Basically, it's about a classically trained chef coming home to run his deceased brother's sandwich shop.  It's very watchable - each episode is only about half an hour - but boy, it can be intense.  What other adjectives can I use?  Gritty, chaotic, real.  Either way, you end up totally invested in the characters.  Good acting, good story-telling, good stuff.           

Reese's Pieces

A sad sign that I've spent too much time in the US - I've developed a fondness for Reese's Pieces.  They look like M&M's, but are peanut butter flavo(u)red.  I didn't think I would ever care for any peanut butter related candy, but there we go. 

TV Theme Tunes #90

There are lots of versions of this theme tune out there - since this show has aired for many years with many different presenters.  Including Larry Grayson, Jim Davidson and, of course, Bruce Forsyth.  And of course it's Brucie's theme that we're going with, because this is the one I remember the most (at least the 90's version, not the 70's version).  Good game, good game, alright my loves.  It's nice to see you, to see you.... 

Winter Storm

It's June.  June.  And we are currently experiencing the kind of winter storm we might expect in November.  Yesterday there was loads of rain.  Especially in the mountains, hence we are under a flood watch until Wednesday.  And overnight and today, it's been really windy.  Indeed we are under a wind advisory until tomorrow morning.  Thousands of people have lost power - and judging by the number of traffic lights that were out on my way into work today, lots in nearby neighborhoods.  And all the roads are covered with bits of tree debris.  As is my driveway and yard (and roof).  I'm sure plenty of trees have come down across the region.  It's all very unseasonal and unpleasant.  But at least warmer temperatures are forecast for the end of the week.  Unfortunately only after another round of heavy rain.        

Mint

I recently received a brochure through the post from the "National Collector's Mint".  OK, that seems like a respectable name and I'm not averse to buying some coins I find of interest.  But then I scanned the brochure.  Some of the highlights include: a Donald Trump "Never Surrender" Mugshot $2 bill, a "Mount Trumpmore" $2 bill ("like Mt Rushmore, only better"), a Donald Trump "Still My President" $2 bill, a Trump Boxer Bobblehead, a Donald J Trump Perfect 2024 Silver Eagle Dollar, Trump "Campaign Buttons" Colorized Half Dollars, a Trump "Save America" $2 bill, a Donald J Trump 45th President Dollar and a Trump "Never Surrender" Trading Card.  Oh dear.  Apparently I'm on some kind of mailing list now for this kind of crap.

Cricket

So, apparently the cricket T20 World Cup started today and is being co-hosted by the US.  Of course, I had absolutely no idea.  Such is how low a profile cricket has over here.  It doesn't help that the only way to watch any of the games is via an extremely niche channel that even I don't subscribe to.  So no, cricket will not take off in the US - and I don't understand why the heck they're even bothering to host games here.  I suspect the only people going to watch the games are South Asian immigrants.  The average American probably doesn't even know of the existence of cricket, let alone the rules and how to play it.