We never lost power in the great Texas Snowmageddon 2021, thank goodness. SO lucky. We are beginning Day 5 without any water though. We had a trickle for a day or two, which we used to boil for drinking. We have several bottled waters, and a lot of melted snow that we collected during the freeze. Melted snow is only good for toilets really, because the dirt and gunk in it is so gross. Like...
Hellooooooooo!
Well, it's come to this, has it? Global pandemic brings old-style blogging back in style- journaling with no product or service to pimp, or featured topic, or even a recognizable stream of thought.
Yes! That's my niche.
I see my last post was about Big Brother last year. We watched again this year. Cody TOTALLY deserved the win, and shockingly, the jury agreed. Whaaaaat?! We always disagree with the final vote. This time it was a satisfying ending at our house, after a whole summer invested in it. Whoop! (There wasn't an Aggie this season. That's weird. It's become a tradition, no?)
Whoa. Just noticing that Blogger now has "suggested labels" while you're editing. Oooooh, so fancy. So far, no matching label suggestions for this post. No surprise there. Keep 'em guessing, I always say!
Anyhoo... Political ads.
Only two more days of those to endure. I voted early, as most have, so I'm over it. So draining. Are we counting yet?
My favorite political ads are for state representative Erin Zweiner. Her name sounds like "Erin's wiener" so my inner 12-year-old giggles out loud every single time.
"Erin Zwiener has a radical agenda."
"Erin Zwiener supports Antifa rioters."
And the best yet... "Erin Zwiener STANDS UP for veterans." Oh man, you gotta love it. Jeff doesn't appreciate my amusement, but I just cannot let it go.
Stands. Up.
Come on.
Some REALLY good TV recs:
Ted Lasso (Apple+)
Schitt's Creek (Netflix)
British Bake Off (Netflix)
Servant (Apple+)
Catastrophe (Amazon)
Somebody Feed Phil (Netflix)
Letterkenny (Hulu)
Ugly Delicious (Netflix)
I'll leave it at that for today. Vote tomorrow if you haven't! Wear a mask whenever you're out and about.
Are you watching too much television true crime, if you ponder whether the man in front of you at the supermarket checkout with three bottles of bleach cleanser just killed his wife?
The Kavanaugh/Ford hearing yesterday was difficult to watch. Kavanaugh's belligerence and snarkiness was not a good look for any man in this situation, and absolutely unacceptable for a possible Supreme Court Justice. Disgusting. The guy can't keep his cool in an arena where he should have made a particular effort to make his feelings clear with a calm and professional demeanor.
Two things about which I feel very strongly that he is lying:
1) If someone I honestly did not know at all approached me out of the blue, and said they were at a party in high school, and Cathy, Kimberly, Doug and I were there, I would say it is very likely I was there, because those are my friends and we were together a lot. You cannot categorically deny being at a party where your close high school buddies were! People in your 40s or 50s, just think about your high school days. Could you deny being at a general gathering of your friends? The flat out denial that he was there is highly suspect. All you have to say is that it is likely I was at such a gathering, not sure I was at this particular one, but I don't remember this person and I certainly never committed such a heinous act on her or anyone else. That would have been a reasonable, believable response.
2) He's trying to convince everyone that he is religious, conservative, was a virgin until much later than most people, spent his time studying, playing football, and working out at Tobin's (which oddly always brought him to tears, although I get teary, too, when I think about working out...) . When we talk about his yearbook though, he's suddenly this big beer drinker, sometimes "drinking too much" (have YOU ever been blackout drunk, Senator? Good grief.), and his Catholic high school simply always tried to create these "Animal House"-like yearbooks that weren't really representative of anything that was going on there. Riiiight. Oh, and several boys at an all-boys school have "Renate Alumnus" on their page, I can guarantee that is not a reference to what a great friend she is, and how she is just an honorary member of their school. Does he think we are that stupid? Such a crock. Obviously the guy did the typical high school football player stuff, including drinking and partying a lot. Again, it would have been no biggie, and doesn't at all mean he attacked anyone, other than he tries so LOUD and angrily to tell a completely different story. Ugh. Give me a freakin' break.
Again, people in your 40s and up, think about a party in high school where something happened, not necessarily an attack or even a negative thing- something you have thought of now and again over the years. Maybe you made out with your new boyfriend for the first time, or you got pushed into the pool, or the cops showed up... anything that you still remember well. Like Dr. Ford said, that memory is strong for a reason. It is in long-term storage in your brain because it meant something significant to you. So what details do you remember? Depending on what happened, you probably remember who was involved in the incident/situation itself and the event details at the time it was happening. Do you remember the specific date or even the month or year of the event? How did you get to the party? Do you remember everyone who was at the party or what you did afterwards and how you got home that particular night? Probably not. But that important piece of the story is emblazoned on your memory like it was yesterday. The amount of data in her recollection makes perfect sense.
You would never forget who attacked you if such a thing happened to you. She knew exactly who he was. You would never hear anyone say, "Hmm, it may have been Joe who tried to rape me, but maybe it was Kyle. I dunno. It was so long ago, I forget." It just doesn't make any sense to suggest such a thing. If she wasn't certain, I feel like she would have said she wasn't certain.
These nutballs who are threatening both Kavanaugh and Ford are disgusting as well. Get help if you are threatening people for any reason. Seriously.
I don't like Kavanaugh's bratty behavior with the Democratic senators and especially not answering the questions about the FBI investigation. There has "never NOT been an FBI investigation" about these types of issues, as they said yesterday, so why not now? Are you so special that we don't need an FBI investigation, when it has always been done before? Especially now, in the times in which we find ourselves, with respect to sexual harassment/aggression. Better now than ever.
Senator Flake just demanded an FBI investigation or he will vote No on the Senate floor vote. NICE! Thank goodness for some across-the-aisle work to get people thinking with their brains instead of blind party loyalty. Hopefully the Republican leadership will agree, and the FBI will get the details to allow a more educated vote.
I whole-heartedly support better background checks on gun purchases, age limits, no assault weapons, all of that. It's all smart action, and may stop some people from killing themselves or others, but the thing that is at the root of mass violence in America is mental illness. Ignore that, and all this other stuff is just a tiny dent in the problem. There are many ways people inflict mass violence. Most of them don't use guns.
We need to do a better job as a society, and especially in schools, while kids are young and developing, in preschool and grade school and beyond, identifying and helping students who are feeling left out, are being bullied or who display concerning behaviors. (YEESH, can't they finally stop tolerating bullying in schools? How many decades has it gone on now?)
I just wonder how many children who headed down this path to insanity could have been integrated more effectually into their peer group early on. Sure, most kids are uncomfortable engaging with the "different" kiddos one-on-one, but perhaps encouraging kids to welcome those children into their groups is a start. As a group, ask this child to eat lunch with you, or play a game with you, etc. That doesn't place a lot of pressure on a single child. It's the community working together to help someone, which most of us would like to do. I leave it to the professionals to figure it out, but what we're doing isn't working.
There also needs to be a conversation about the fact that there are some kids (and adults) who are a danger to themselves or others, who just unfortunately need to be detained or supervised in a manner that minimizes their threat. If you are a danger to yourself or others, there are rules already in place (I assume in most locales) that allow involuntary commitment to a mental health facility. Maybe we need to have a treatment option that is a step down, where someone is not an immediate threat, but has treatment mandated in an outpatient setting.
Something.
It's just so frustrating that so many people say they knew a particular person would "do something like this one day." A few of them in the Florida shooting even told teachers and other adults prior to this tragedy, but there wasn't anything meaningful done. Many times there are well-deserved punitive consequences, but they also need to address the real issue- a person's mental status. How can we help them heal, or are they are beyond outpatient treatment and need to be in a treatment facility long term?
Bigger picture, there also need to be better mental health treatments and better insurance coverage. Healthcare costs are ridiculous and need to be reigned in. (Ask me about my Not-for-Profit Healthcare Plan for America! Quite unpopular with pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and insurance companies! But I digress...)
Just incredibly sad. I can't imagine how the parents of all those kids must feel.
I am absolutely not supportive of kids leaving school to protest anything. If you believe in it, protest after school. And what if someone doesn't want to participate? Too bad, I guess. The education system is already crappier than ever. What kids need is a day off school, because nothing says "I demand that the government protect me from gun violence" than a bunch of giggling middle-schoolers taking selfies during their "protest."
Also worth a mention... that bogus stat about this being the 18th school shooting this year detracted from what is inarguably a devastating trend that needs to be addressed with swift and effective action. The Washington Post outed the group that created this false statistic. Stop detracting from this issue (and the Me Too movement, and racism, and a whole plethora of other very important issues) by overstating your story. The opposition will use it to discredit the whole movement. It makes people wonder what the truth is. Gah!
CDC gets list of forbidden words: Fetus, transgender, diversity
What in the serious *F*? The Centers for Disease Control, an organization of science, can't use the words "science-based" because it scares Republicans? No use of the words "evidence-based?" How do you talk about fetuses without using the word "fetus?"
The suggested "science-based" replacement phrase "CDC bases its recommendations on science in consideration with community standards and wishes" is ludicrous. Do they really? If science says something is fantasy, but the community wants it to be real, CDC throws all facts aside to placate the community? What a truly frightening load of crap. If they abide by this language guidance, I'm not buying anything CDC is putting out there from now on.
From an NYT article- "The Food and Drug Administration was quick to note that it had gotten no such instruction."
On E! right now, they're talking about Luann's drunken fall into a bush last week on RHONY. It reminded me of the time KathyL and I were moving a heavy-ish piece of furniture down her front porch stairs and the thing went all wobbly and I toppled into her bushes in very... slow... motion. It was freakin' HILARIOUS! I was all scratched up, but I was laughing so hard that I just stayed there on the ground, just like Luann. So funny!
Saturday 9: Wouldn't It Be Nice? (1966)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) In the video for this song, the Beach Boys dive into the pool with all their clothes on. Have you ever ended up in the water while fully clothed? If yes, were you pushed?
I've never been in a pool fully clothed. In the Houston flood when I was growing up, I had to go through flood water in my clothes when we were boated out of the neighborhood to go to the Red Cross shelter.
2) In this song, Mike Love sings he wishes "every kiss could be never ending." Where did you receive your first kiss? Was it wonderful, or awkward?
Progressive Guy: I can't decide if this place is 'swag' or 'bling.'
Mall Pretzel Dude: It's 'pretzels.'
Bwahaha! That Progressive commercial cracks me up.
This.
Really?
...See if I can c***-block these people the way I c***-blocked Scaramucci for six months.
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
...I'm not trying to suck my own c***?
Mmmkay.
I want to... kill all the leakers.
Dude. Take a pill.
The White House is Crazytown. Too bad SNL is on hiatus! Mario Cantone did a great job on The President Show as Scaramucci on Comedy Central.
Saturday 9: Angel (1998)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) Sarah McLachlan wrote this song about someone she barely knew. She read the obit of Jonathan Melvoin, keyboard player for the Smashing Pumpkins, who died of a heroin overdose. What's the most recent news story that touched you deeply?
The stepmom bride and her vows to her little stepson. So sweet.
2) Ms. McLachlan performed this in tribute to Linda McCartney at the 1999 Concert for Linda. She was expressing her hope that, in death, Linda found relief and peace after a long and painful battle with cancer. What do you think happens to us when we die?
Wow. Hello Saturday morning! I think our souls go to Heaven/Hell or whatever your personal version of the afterlife is called. I don't believe in reincarnation or the complete disappearance of the soul/spiritual energy/whatever you want to call it. Reincarnation- the math just doesn't ever work out with things dying vs. things being born. Nothingness would mean that the body's spiritual energy/consciousness disappears, which doesn't jibe with physics. I'm hoping the afterlife allows us to literally gather with people we've lost, but if not, that the soul is at peace.
3) Daytime dramas General Hospital and As the World Turns used this song on-air after a major character died. Do you follow any "soap operas?"
Scaramucci said in his introductory press conference last week that Trump is a "very effective communicator" on Twitter. Good God, surely he was kidding. I mean, seriously. And Trump is "really well loved?" It's like the President's staffers live on another planet... in another galaxy... Maybe in that job, you have to keep telling yourself those things until you believe them, so you don't come across as insincere.
And if they're getting rid of people, why can't they dump the complete disaster that is Kellyanne Conway?
Gah. Sorry. Ranting.
Citibank has that great commercial on now with the new neighbor, where the lady welcomes her with a pie. "Wow, that smells intrusive." Bwahaha!
What's new around here... Ah- DAMN SQUIRRELS. I used to love all our little cutie grey squirrels. Then we switched to drip irrigation in the front beds. Those obnoxious varmints dig up the hoses, even ripping out the metal stakes holding them down.
We're trying out a couple of owl decoys and so far, I haven't seen one squirrel today! Yaaaay!! I hear we'll need to move the decoys every few days or the squirrels figure out that they're fake. I'm going to leave them where they are to see how long it takes them.
Saturday 9: Don't Stop (1977)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) Since we're not supposed to stop thinking about tomorrow, let's talk about it: What are your plans for Sunday?
Yesterday we caught up on DVR shows and then went out shopping for owl decoys.
2) Fleetwood Mac was formed 50 years ago in London. Fifty years is considered a "golden anniversary." Do you wear more silver or gold?
But first... Why does Lisa Bloom (and her mother before her) always seek the spotlight and become the story when she represents someone? So annoying. She needs to move over and let her clients speak for themselves.
So. Let me understand. Kathy Griffin holding up a horrifying bloody Trump head is an artistic reference to his comment about Megyn Kelly and "blood coming out of her whatever?"
Mmmmmmmkaaay. It must have been one bummer of a brainstorming session, if that's all Bloom's team could come up with as an explanation.
Also, Donald Trump didn't "ruin Kathy's life." People were immediately shocked and disgusted by the photo, before he even responded. The vast majority of us don't give a flying pigmonkey about Trump's feelings. People and businesses are responding on their own, making decisions based on their own feelings. CNN doesn't make business decisions based on what Trump thinks.
For me personally, there are three things that are beyond disturbing about that photo:
1) It's overly realistic and revolting, for no apparent purpose.
2) It emulates heinous photos of terrorists holding up heads.
3) It's the President of the United States. (Chelsea Clinton says that's vile and wrong. I'm with her.)
It's pathetic that Griffin had a press conference declaring herself a victim, and it only serves to draw this out far longer than necessary. In light of Trump's withdrawal of the US from the Paris Climate Accord, this drama should already have been yesterday's news. (Well, he does something just about every day that should make this yesterday's news.)
She should just acknowledge her regrettable choice and move on. She'd be fine. Whatever she does, I just hope she doesn't rescind her apology a la The Dixie Chicks. Have some friggin' balls and don't apologize in the first place, if you don't want to!
smh
Jeff and I have been married for 27 years as of last Friday! We went on our first date 30 years ago, on January 28, 1987, to a Baylor/A&M basketball game.
The drama from some men over the gals only showing of Wonder Woman at the Alamo Drafthouse is one of the most ridiculous things I've seen in a while. Girls night out is a sexist travesty against men? Are you INSANE? Read Mayor Adler's Response to an Email on the Matter. Yes!
Kathy Griffin. Good lord. What. Was. She. Thinking. I don't even have words for that.
Netflix rec: Watch Kathleen Madigan's "Bothering Jesus" comedy show if you haven't seen it. It's very funny!
Friday 5: MVP
1. What’s the most important single ingredient in trail mix? M&Ms
2. What’s the most important single topping in a taco? cheese
3. What’s the coolest instrument in an orchestra? timpani
4. What’s your favorite animal at the zoo? chimpanzee
5. Which are the best pieces in a sampler box of chocolates? ones with nuts
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