Raincharm’s Weblog

Carl’s big surgery was 8 years ago today. He left the hospitals (2 of them) 14 days later, on his birthday. So I got him his birthday present this morning. A NEW LAWNMOWER!

Carl suggested I could get him rubber gloves for doing dishes next.

After the birthday shopping we set off for our day out. First stop was walking to light rail to head to the Mariner’s game. They were giving away a USA soccer t-shirt so there was an early crowd.

There are two trains that run from north Seattle to the stadium area. The 1 line goes south to both the International District and Stadium stops used for the stadium and continues further south. The 2 line turns east after the International District and does not reach the Stadium Station, which is closer to the baseball stadium.  We were on the 2 line. On the train we were sitting next to a man who is a bartender at the baseball stadium. When we reached the International District stop he didn’t stand up. I asked him if he was going to get off. He had not realized it was a 2 line and almost headed east. Save 1 for the day.

When we got Carl and I split up. Carl to go get in line and me to try and get a special World Cup ORCA (transit) card, just because I liked the design. A woman we had briefly met in the light rail station where we started called to me from behind, saying she was following me to get to the stadium. She was kind of frantic to get one of the shirts. I told her she should have followed Carl, but I could direct her before I went to search for the Orca card. Then things got a little weird. She said she had to go to the bathroom. I suggested the public building I was going into would probably have restroom. They did, but on the second floor. The elevators were there, but needed to be waited for. She kept saying she couldn’t wait. A security guard offered to lead her to them, but she declined, and exited the building to do her business outside in a corner….. So by this time I had found they were out of the ORCA cards, but told her I could just take her to the line. And it turns out she was also with her boyfriend, who had been in the building trying to accomplish something, and failing. So the three of us set off to get in the line. We found Carl and settled in. The boyfriend went to get some hotdogs to take into the game. These came with sodas. During our line wait we had to explain that the food could come in, but the drinks would need to be consumed outside. Plus the non-clear bag he had wouldn’t be allowed either. It all worked out, but we got separated at the entrance, which was fine. They got their shirts, so all was good.

The Mariners game itself was good, Mariners beat the Orioles 3-0. As we were leaving the couple we had helped get into the game found us, and we may see them again at a Minor League game in Everett.

From there we set off to find a bus to the Magnolia area of Seattle. It was a ride that ended for us at 28th Ave and Dravus. We needed to get to 17th Ave and Dravus for pizza. Dravus in this location is one of the steepest streets in Seattle. Luckily we were headed downhill, but it was tough on the feet. This made the pizza taste even better.

And finally walk another block to the Ballard FC soccer game. Not World Cup, but players with dreams. We made it to halftime. With our team up 5-1 we decided to find our busses home. The final score was 6-1, so we didn’t miss too much, and actually saw the goal watching the game on my phone during the bus ride.

And now it’s bedtime. We don’t have tickets to tomorrow’s USA vs Australia game, but plan to wander through the downtown watch parties, and then go to the Mariners game in the evening.

Today we watched a lot of soccer. Some very entertaining games.  England vs. Croatia was the most fun to watch. There were 6 total goals and we were familiar with many of the players from the English Premier League. England prevailed 4-2. The upset of the day came in the Portugal vs. D.R. Congo game. DR Congo tied one of the tournament favorites 1-1.

And before any of that watching we took an 8,000 step walk. This time was to a lawyers office to sign our updated wills and associated paperwork. After 34 years it was time for a refresh. Pooh, you are no longer tasked with taking care of our kids should something happen to both of us. For those keeping track the transfer of medical information has been initiated as well.

The other steps were from walking around the house several times watering. Setting up the sprinkler cut off my closest route to the door, so around the house I went. We also had the first raspberry harvest of the year, a bit less than a cup. No pictures and they were consumed with lunch.

Which means I didn’t do much. Put away laundry and went to a Mariners game.

Also spent some time getting a doctor’s appointment scheduled, and then starting the process of transferring some related medical information from our prior to current providers. Luckily? the soonest appointment that worked for us is in September, so there is time for the transfer to happen.

And rereading some family history in advance of asking for help with verifying my Canadian status.

Mariners won 3 to 1 over the Orioles.

I can now check seeing a World Cup game off of my list. We joined with 66,771 others to watch Belgium vs. Egypt.

The crowd seemed to be more heavily for Egypt based on cheering. It was hard to get a real visual because both teams main jersey color was red.

The opening ceremonies for the game.

The stadium appeared to be full. Or at least nearly so. Capacity = 66,925, so a few hundred scattered empty seats.

Egypt scored first, and from my perspective were the better team in the first half, more organized than Belgium. The second half was Belgiums and they evened the score. It was a more physical game than I might have hoped for, but neither team was getting passes off before being challenged.

All in all I quite enjoyed myself, and I think the rest of the group did as well.

We did our wandering inside the stadium area. Perhaps we should select a different game day to go through the area outside the stadium fencing. Just to feel the vibe.

Side note: Spain was held to a 0-0 tie by Cape Verde, a country with a population of around 500,000. Smaller than the City of Seattle. Now that’s an upset.

Four World Cup games a day is a lot to take in. But it’s early in the tournament so I still have patience and endurance.

The Germany vs Curacao was interesting for some time, especially when Curacao tied the score. But eventually the Germans got rolling and just kept scoring.

Japan vs the Netherlands was very entertaining. I hope for more like this. The commentators kept noting the height difference between the teams, and suggested the Japanese thought they were taller than they really are. And then Japan scored, out jumping and timing for a head ball goal.

Ecuador vs. Ivory Coast is currently on. No goals yet, neither team has been able to put the finishing touch in a net yet.

Sweden vs. Tunisia will be today’s last game. Hoping for a fun competitive match.

Of the four games tomorrow we will see 1, and maybe 2. Looking forward to feeling the vibes.

This afternoon our neighborhood is having a Block Porch Happy Hour. The skewers are our contribution.

It’s a sunny afternoon, UWs graduation is today so the area is jumping, and public school’s last day is this coming Wednesday. 

Watching the opening ceremonies from LA. It’s like so many sport shows on the big stage. Think NFL Super Bowl. And it is very soccer focused. But it also feels a little tone deaf to some of the countries playing in the tournament who have different opinions of what is appropriate for public display. Leaving out any discussion of suppression of women’s rights for now, including apparently the US Armed Forces. It is possible to put on a show that some won’t feel compelled to turn away from. I mean Seattle has been told again and again to be aware that our Pride celebrations are not to be brought inside the stadium.

This was the preliminary part of the ceremony, I will wait to see if it continues through the pre-game. I think that is more likely to match those in Mexico and Canada.

So it was a great game. USA 4 – Paraguay 1. The Tallarin Paraguayo made for dinner was good, essentially spaghetti with a tomato sauce, but I would add more spice next time.

We made our plans for the game on Monday.

All for now.

Despite a really questionable start to the World Cup hype (Peace Prize REALLY!🤮) and some continuing Grump led difficulties for officials, team representatives, etc trying to get into the U.S. of A., I am excited for the games to begin.

For many years, decades really, we only had over-the-air TV. And it was difficult to get many games on the big 3 stations. So every 4 years we would sign up for cable TV, just so we could watch. We would keep the cable for a few months, and then cancel. Wait 4 years and repeat. We didn’t get lasting cable until 2013, after the house remodel was completed.

This year’s games appear to be on FOX related channels. The main Fox channel is available over-the-air, and that has the opening game on, Mexico vs. South Africa.

SPOILER ALERT-DO NOT READ IF YOU PLAN TO WATCH A DELAYED AIRING. Mexico 1 – South Africa 0 at halftime.

Parting thoughts: If the US continues to make it difficult or impossible for participants to participate in the US, I think the US should be banned from hosting future games. Think 2028 Summer Olympics.

First step. We walked to a doctor’s appointment. It was a functional appointment that should begat more appointments in the next few months. All in search of elusive cures. We’ll see, and hopefully it’s all approved for coverage. I still need to figure out how and where to ask that question.

Next up was lunch/breakfast out. Tasty and tomorrow’s as well. Not really a step, but necessary sustenance.

Next, steps taken to update a 36-year old will. Review of documents completed.

Next many steps, yard work. Just maintenance mowing and watering the raspberries. Bonus, we got to meet on of our neighbor’s parents. They were taking the 10-month old out for a walk. I’m not sure how it all started but we mow their front yard along with ours. They’re not big, so not a huge deal. It started with the latest owners, or maybe the one’s before. They were newlyweds and didn’t have a lawnmower. Instead of letting it get out of hand, we mowed. The current owners moved to Tacoma and now rent. Again to a young couple with no lawnmower. And so it goes.

Day of a few things, mostly working towards things in development. One involves the future, hopefully distant. The other involves food in the not too distant future.

The part of today that was completed was a haircut. Not mine. The picture above is the result, or rather the remnants.