News

Sea(ttle), it’s not so rainy

At last, the results of a scientific study furnish proof that it doesn’t rain in Seattle as much as you might think.  The honor of the rainiest city in the United States goes to Mobile, Alabama and just about any city along the Gulf Coast and Florida, the so-called "Sunshine State."  Here’s the list of the top ten cities according to WeatherBill, a research firm:
 
  • Mobile, Alabama–67 inches average annual rainfall; 59 average annual rainy days
  • Pensacola, Florida–65 inches average annual rainfall; 56 average annual rainy days
  • New Orleans, Louisiana–64 inches average annual rainfall; 59 average annual rainy days
  • West Palm Beach, Florida–63 inches average annual rainfall; 58 average annual rainy days
  • Lafayette, Louisiana–62 inches average annual rainfall; 55 average annual rainy days
  • Baton Rouge, Louisiana–62 inches average annual rainfall; 56 average annual rainy days
  • Miami, Florida–62 inches average annual rainfall; 57 average annual rainy days
  • Port Arthur, Texas–61 inches average annual rainfall; 51 average annual rainy days
  • Tallahassee, Florida–61 inches average annual rainfall; 56 average annual rainy days
  • Lake Charles, Louisiana–58 inches average annual rainfall; 50 average annual rainy days

Seattle’s neighbor, Olympia, ranked 24th on the list with 59 inches of rain each year.  Seattle is not far behind.  While it may not be haven for sun worshippers, Seattle isn’t as wet as it seems.  It just seems that way.  Reputation means everything.

Wanna buy a former embassy?

Special thanks to a Dear Reader for pointing out an interesting column in Wednesday’s Washington Post advertising great bargains on former or soon-to-be-former U.S. Embassy buildings, including chanceries and diplomatic residences.  On the heels of my blog entry about the Paraguayan cattle ranch for sale, these real estate opportunities seem even better; well, more historically significant, at any rate.  Who wouldn’t want to own the Ottawa, Canada residence featured in the Paul Newman/Joanne Woodward classic, "Mr. and Mrs. Bridge"?  It could be yours for just U.S.$2.25 million. 
 
I searched the Web and found photos of these properties.  Which one(s) would you like to buy? 
Granted, the London property is gorgeous, but $180 million is a lot of money.  The other properties have a distinctly U.S. government ambience.  With a little paint and some nice curtains, you could enhance their inner beauty.  Me, I’m partial to the soon-to-be-former chancery in Kathmandu, Nepal.  At just $6 million, it’s a steal!
 
If you like living among embassies but don’t want to leave the country, then why not try to find a place on Embassy Row in Washington, D.C.?  They’re not quite a steal, but it’s pretty cool living where the diplomats hang out.

Tragedy in Blacksburg

I don’t know what to write about what happened today at Virginia Tech other than it happened just 250 miles from me and yet is a world away.  Perhaps it is better to write nothing at all and await news of this terrible tragedy.  People are already speculating about the who, what, where, when, why, and how, and the blogosphere is in chaos trying to scoop what happened today.
 
What a shame.  My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone impacted by this tragedy.