It's Heeeere...

Hi Guys!: Russian maidens surround the World Cup Trophy at the final draw for 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

'Twas the night before FIFA World Cup Russia, when all throughout the globe
Every bleacher creature was stirring, boys and girls, young and old
The bars were well stocked; barstools arranged with great care,
In hopes that team-shirt-wearing patrons, soon would be there.
The players were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of Putin, Messi and Ronaldo danced in their heads...

Putin On the Ritz: Russian President Vladimir Putin with soccer legends Pele of Brazil and Maradona of Argentina at the official tournament draw held in Moscow last December. 

It's been a long four years since the unfettered, samba-fueled joy of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, a large country that is so abundant in green tropics and yellow sunshine that it has the two colors emblazoned on its flag. It is now four years later and the tournament kicks off tomorrow in Russia, a country twice the size of Brazil and a million times different. This is part of what makes the World Cup so exciting. 

And so here we are at the threshold of another World Cup. Here we are, that is, minus some big losses in the world. If I were given the chance to read this post four years ago, I would want my 2014 self to know that many of my favorite musicians are now gone: David Bowie, Prince, George Michaels, and—brace yourself, 2014 me—Chris Cornell. As of this week, we must also wrap our hearts and minds around the death of Anthony Bourdain, the Lou Reed of the culinary world. Never in all my life has the passage of four years between one World Cup and another bridged such contrasting worlds of yesterday and today. On a personal note, I lost a family pet who was like a little brother. He had lung cancer and seeing him slip away was the hardest thing. I can now relate to the longing in the Beatle's song,"Yesterday." Yes, so much has changed since the last World Cup ... and I haven't even mentioned politics ... Oy.

With love and loss comes wisdom. Losing Bruno taught me how precious love is and . That's hard to do when work obligations tell you otherwise.  I think dogs and cats understand it best. Whatever gets your tail wagging, do it. Be huggable and lovable to those. Having friends and family and coworkers you like matters. Many of us in this world are so fortunate not to be alone, and that is worth smiling about. And if there's something simple you can do to make someone you absolutely love—human or animal—happy, by all means, do it. Those memories will stay with you forever. They'll keep you afloat, and focused on the right things. Make yourself happy, too. Words of wisdom: The show must go on and true love never dies. Here's to a phenomenal World Cup! May the best team win — but not by penalty kicks.

Ready to Rumble: Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow where the tomorrow's opening match between Russia and Saudi Arabia will take place

Quick Facts: 12 stadiums, 64 matches, 34 days, 32 countries.

Italy did not qualify. USA did not qualify. Here are the teams that did:

RUSSIA
PORTUGAL
FRANCE
ARGENTINA
BRAZIL
GERMANY
SPAIN
URUGUAY
ENGLAND
DENMARK
COLOMBIA
POLAND
CROATIA
MEXICO
BELGIUM
EGYPT
SENEGAL
JAPAN
SWEDEN
SERBIA
SWITZERLAND
NIGERA
AUSTRALIA
COSTA RICA
PERU
ICELAND
MOROCCO
SOUTH KOREA
TUNISIA
IRAN
PANAMA
SAUDI ARABIA

My advice on how to enjoy the World Cup: Forget statistics (unless you love them) and choose a team to root for simply because you like them. Or don't choose a team, and enjoy the freedom of not being emotionally invested and see if you begin to favor anyone. Add snacks and beer, or cider or whatever it is you like to eat & drink. Welch's grape soda? Doritos? Go for it. Zabivaka says yes!

Say His Name: Zabivaka, or Забива́ка, means "goalscorer" in Russian. The goggles-sporting wolf as you may have guessed is the official mascot of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.