Pilloried

So, we're having another serious thunderstorm as I type.  We've had some seriously gusty winds and now we have torrential rains.  While the gusts were strong, no more branches (or limbs) were torn from the maple trees behind my house.  Oh, and we also have a lot of thunder and lightning.  The forecast for the coming week is pretty much same old, same old.  Everyday there's the 50% + of having a thunderstorm.  Lucky us.

Of course, fearless Howie wants to go outside.  That ain't happening.

My poblano pepper plant has at lest 8 peppers on it, so now I have to find a pepper recipe.  If I can, I can always dry them.  That's one of the good reasons to have a dehydrator.  

Retail was slow yesterday, in fact retail was slow all of last week.  August is always a slow month because it's family vacation month.  I did manage to get another measure.  That's 3 for the past week.  Someone, somewhere should be happy.  However, that's not going to stop them from beginning Halloween.  We've already gotten a number of questions regarding our orange Halloween buckets.  They are very popular.  I can tell you that we have over 2000 in stock, but they're all in the overhead.  The Halloween setup will probably take place next week, at least for the big stuff.  Yesterday, on one of my laps, I discovered that we already have our not so distinguishable pillows out.

Rumors are swirling that the Orange Anus is going to declare victory in Iran because he's a low IQ president who's in way over his head.  This is because he's an idiot.  One of his many, and I do mean many, problems is that his tiny brain believes he can con his way out of situation, that he can win by lying.  He has always believed he can force capitulation by merely threatening.  He's done this with Iran and they have constantly punched back.  He has spent his entire life lying to himself, and has surrounded himself with liars who constantly feed him false praise.  Now, his incompetency has caught up with him and he's flailing.  They're saying that if the Democrats take both the House and the Senate during the midterms he will be impeached.  Many think he should be jailed.  Personally, I'd like to see him pilloried... literally.  That way the American people can walk by and shout obscenities at him and throw shit at him.  Oh, I'm sure one or two would throw a rotten egg or tomato, but I suspect manny would simply throw shit.

 

Judgement

 Ah, another Saturday has rolled around here in Central PA and the weather is expected to be nice.  Our high today is predicted to be around 60 (F), in fact for the next several days we're supposed to be getting that warm.  A week ago the forecasters were telling us our daily highs were not going to get past the mid 50s (F).  This must be what the wind blew in.

And yes, it was very windy yesterday.  We were under a wind warning, with expected gusts as high as 50 miles per hour.  Nothing was blown around in my back yard, so I don't think any of the big gusts gushed around my house.  However, it was still windy enough for Howie to choose to stay inside more than outside.  And as far as I can tell, the trick and treaters stayed off of my street, maybe the wind blew them all away.

Yesterday was ride day, and I was feeling energetic, so I spent an hour on the bike and rode over 14 miles in Corsica.  I like that ride.  There's a nice mix of hills and valleys.  All that riding oxygenates my brain and when I'm working on a new book, ideas just keep popping off like little fireworks.

Also, many chores were accomplished yesterday, including vacuuming up the Howie hair.  While the boxers did share, Howie is worse.  My carpet will grow a coat of fur if I don't vacuum regularly.  This means I frequently buy vacuum bags.  

The old laser jet printer is also in the trash.  Furniture in the writing room has been rearranged.  Everything is fine.

I started scanning pictures into my computer yesterday, some are rather interesting.  Here's Howie when he was a teeny weeny puppy.

So, it appears as though the House of Representatives is on permanent vacation.  I find it fascinating that while the Senate is in session, and they are having votes, the House is sitting idly by doing nothing... well that's wrong.  They are doing one thing.  Mikey Johnson isn't swearing in Adelita Grijalva, the Congresswoman from Arizona.  The minute she is sworn in, Representative Massie has the 218 votes needed for Congress to release the Epstein Files.  Republicans are in a lose/lose situation.  The minute that information is made public, the Grim Reaper will begin scything the Hell out of every congressman who voted against releasing the files.  America will know just what kind of moral degenerate is in the White House, and then everything falls apart.  It is the Republicans themselves who have put themselves into this position.  Perhaps if they hadn't been so desperate for power.  They are going to get everything they deserve.  Some will call it Karma, others will see it as Judgement.

Halloween

The outside temp was 48 (F) this morning when I rolled out of bed.  That's not a bad low temp for this time of year.  Our high today is predicted to be 58 (F).  If the forecasters are correct, everyday for the next week our daily high will be 58 (F), and not one degree higher or lower.  I don't believe that.  I suspect someone in the forecasting office accidently hit the repeat button.

Even though Thursdays are supposed to be one of my rest days, I actually got a little upper body workout in, which was nice.  Words were written.  The dishes were washed.  I also had to work.  I pleased management.  I had a $6000+ install sell.  This means that this week I hit both my sales goal and my measure goal.  The only bad thing about that sale was that the customers showed up at 6:56 PM.  Drats from Hell.  My normal quitting time is 7 PM.  I knew they were coming in late, so I had their order ready to go and... as I should have expected the credit card pin pad stopped working.  I walked the customers up to the Service Desk and (double drats from Hell) the big $$ discount they were supposed to get disappeared.  Mierda!  As a result, I punched out at 7:33 PM.  Sure, I got some extra time, but I like to leave on schedule.

Things are planned for today, including a bike ride.  Here lately, most of my rides have been almost an hour long.  This afternoon I'll see about doing the extra minutes.  I also want to bake a loaf of bread.  And the broken HP laser jet printer is going to get the old heave ho.  I have the Xerox laser printer which works quite well and there's no need for a second printer taking up space.  A few other things are going to end up in the trash as well, including an old Sony sound bar that hasn't worked in years.

And today is Halloween!  It's also Trick or Treat night, and, as is my usual practice, I will make sure that my porch light is turned off to keep any Ghoulaneskis and Goblineros  from knock, knock, knocking at my door.

So, the Orange Anus skipped the very important APEC summit because...?  His handlers were worried that he had already maxed out his energy levels?  Or that his rambling dementia might once again?  For whatever reason, his early departure allowed China's Xi to take command of the summit.  For a hot second I thought he might have handed the reins over to Xi in exchange for those shitty frameworks of deals Orangie was so desperate to brag about.

One of the good things I see happening is that in spite of all of the sane washing Main Stream Media is giving Orangie, his poll numbers are still in decline.  This is great news because it means that more and more Americans are paying less and less attention to MSM is saying.  Because they depend upon ad revenue, one of the worst things that can ever happen to their Market Share is to just have people ignore them.  Not that there aren't those bumble brains who will continue to watch CNN and CBS.  Most of them are old, and have watched these networks their entire lives.  Sadly for advertisers, that age group does not go out and buy, buy, buy, perhaps that's why pharmaceutical advertising has been increasing.

At 23

The outside temp was 51 (F) when I looked around 0600.  Again, they will be climbing.  They climbed yesterday.  When I checked in mid-afternoon, the outside temps were sitting at 82 (F).  That's not bad at all for October, when the leaves are supposed to be dropping like rain from the trees.  Around my house, the leaves haven't begun to change color yet.  Will they?  Or is this year going to be a replay of previous years when the simply turned brown before they dropped.  Many of the small leaves on my river birch have done just that, seriously camouflaging the Howie droppings in my back yard.

I did work yesterday.  Slow was the word.  They have started marking down prices of our Halloween decorations and we still have 3 weeks until Halloween.  This is surprising, since we were told that quantities were limited this year; they come from China.  But then sales have not been stellar.  The 18 foot scarecrow, originally costing $399 has been marked down to $299.  That's a big price cut.  On days when sales are slow I walk laps.  My route takes me through outside garden.  On one trip I talked to several garden associates who were dealing with a bit of dilemma: there are still a number of the "limited" Halloween decorations still being stored out there and that space is going to be needed for the "limited" number of Christmas decorations our freight department is already receiving.

Tomorrow I'll be harvesting the oregano I've been growing on my kitchen window sill.  What shall I plant next?  Basil?

And here's your Sunday present, a pic of me when I was 23.  Taken in the Philippines.

And for those who missed it, Orangie the Anus spoke to our top military leaders at Quantico, it didn't go well.  This article in The Guardian by Sydney Blumenthal sums it up quite clearly.  The whole point of that embarrassing failure was for those leaders to show both Orangie and Petey rousing support.  Instead, they sat on their hands.  Their oath of allegiance is to the Constitution of the United States, not some dementia addled ego maniac.  People wondered why no one saw Orangie for a few days after that fiasco, and I'm betting that's because it was such a blow to his ego.  They are not on his side.  Will he attempt to retaliate against those who didn't grovel?  He will try.  Remember, this loser can hold a grudge from here to Hell and back.

US Open This

 The chill days of Autumn have begun to arrive.  Here we are heading into 0800 and the temp is still in the mid 40s (F).  Today's high's supposed to be in the low 70s (F)  That's fine.  We are going to be heading into a warming trend with daily highs climbing into the upper 70s (F) with possible a day or two with them reaching the low 80s (F).   Still, this cool nights are making me think the time might be now to break out another blanket.

I did thoroughly clean out Howie's ears.  I suspecting his scratching is the result of gnat bites.  As I've said, for some reason they seem to swarm around my house.   While is fur is thick, the underside of his floppy ears might be good eating for gnats.  If it isn't the gnats, he might have an allergy, but that would most likely mean he'd be losing fur and that's not happening.

The last time I received my order from The Lancaster Coffee Company they included a sample of flavored coffee, apple cider something or other.  I don't do flavored coffees, still, I thought since they'd sent it, I might as well try it.  Blah!  I don't know what some people see in them.  Of course, there are also people who can't drink their coffee without a ton of sugar.  Blah!

And when I went in to work yesterday I discovered that during my absence Halloween had arrived.  That scarecrow is 18 feet (5.5 meters) tall.  I simply don't understand why you would want a Halloween lawn ornament so big unless you're someone who has size issues.  

Of course, the Orange Anus did show up at the US Open yesterday and, as usual, there was a shit show.  First of all, he arrived almost half an hour late.  If you're thinking that was so he could make a grand entrance to cheering crowds, you're wrong.  Very few people were allowed in before he arrived, so the stadium was virtually empty.  This allowed certain networks to avoid the boos, and hisses, and cat calls directed at him after the spectators were allowed to take their seats.  So, Orangie arrived late and a half an hour into the first match, there were still thousands still waiting to get into the stadium.

And did he get booed?  Oh, my yes.  Every time his face appeared on the jumbotron boos erupted from the crowd.  And even though the United States Tennis Associate request that networks not televise the booing, ABC, ESPN, and a number of other Main Stream Media groups ignored them.  Maybe that's why Orangie was such a Grumpy Gus sitting in the stands, he knew that so many people from around the world were hearing the jeers.  To make matters worse for him, Sinner (real last name) the player he was routing for lost to Alcarez.  

Trump's Dance-a-Thon

 Well, we've got a chilly Tuesday outside.  The temp this morning when I took Howie out to do his duty the temp was 40 (F).  He didn't seem to mind the cold.  There's a frost warning in effect for this evening.  That may start the leaves to turn colors.  As I've said, and as Maddie has also pointed out, so far their still green when they fall.

I did work yesterday.  It was boring.  I got in my laps.  Chatted with a few customers as they pass through by the flooring desk, but that's about it.  While we're slow, our Garden department is doing gang busters.  Artificial trees are practically flying out the door.  And, halfway through October, our Halloween decorations are beginning to be marked down to clearance prices.  One thing that's different for both holidays this year, is that there are not a lot of smaller decorations.  Everything is big or inflatable.  There was a time when we sold snow globes, I've bought a few over the years.  We don't do that anymore.  We're not carrying a lot of Christmas wreaths either, just trees, and lights, and animated Santas that are far more frightening than entertaining.

Later this morning, I'm going to be heading out to PetSmart to buy some more chew toys for Howie.  There's an purple octopus coming in the mail, and two bouncing balls due to arrive from Amazon, but they are not going to hold his interest for too long.  He gets bored fast.  He's still in the process of learning the word "no," but he knows what "outside" means.  All I have to do is say "outside," and he's heading towards the back door.

Last night this happened near Philadelphia.

Evidently 2 people fainted and needed medical assistance... maybe.  Everything needs to be suspect when it happens around Trump.  When he told "Justin" to play the songs they'd talked about, seems even more suspect.  He swayed to the music for around 39 minutes.  Kristi Noem, who was supposed to sort of be his Master of Ceremonies, or possibly the question lady, did, at times, seem to try and get things back on track.  Her fake smile says a lot.  At one point, she puts her hand on his back as if to guide him.  If that was supposed to help, it failed.  The New York Times is trying to sane wash the whole episode, but that doesn't keep people from talking.  It's all over social media.  Remember, this comes one day after his campaign abandoned a large number of his cultists at a farm near Coachella.  Personally, I'm hoping he keeps up these personal appearances, they make him look so terribly bad.

Americans are Fed Up

 We're under a heat advisory for the next 2 days.  Today's high is supposed to be in the low 90s (F), and tomorrow's, if they're correct, should hit 98 (F).  The Central Air did kick on yesterday, and I don't doubt it will kick on today.  That's fine.

This warm weather quickens the drying time for my laundry; the moisture is evaporating from my first load as I type.  How late into the fall I go with the drying rack is anybody's guess.  When I was a child, my mom hung clothing out to dry year-round.  She also had a wringer washer, which didn't wring out as much water as people thought.  Those were the days when everything need to be ironed.  That was housework.  Women who complain about doing housework today really have no idea what life was like 60 years ago.

I was talking to my neighbor yesterday morning, and she was complaining.  They've discovered that their going to need a new roof (this is why you pay for the home inspection before buying a house.)  I feel bad for them, but at the same time I don't.  Her son's a freshman at Temple University, and depending upon how this year goes for him, they might sell the house and move, at least that's what she implied.  Oh, and when I suggested she might want to get a part-time job now that her daughter was in school she told told me she couldn't because she liked to... and she put her thumb and forefinger together in front of her mouth and toked on an invisible joint.  That's right, she's a pot head.  (Can you hear me laughing?)

And Halloween came to work yesterday.  The orange rolling gates blocking it off from the public are essential because some customers will randomly open a box.  People get really excited about Halloween decorations.  Oh, and that's only about half of it.

Orangie's team is throwing a great big shit fit about open mics at his scheduled debate with Harris.  They know their loser too well.  Two of his many serious problems are keeping his mouth shut, and letting his diarrhea mouth run off point.  His team also knows that Harris, being as former prosecutor will have no problem shutting him down.  Let's be perfectly honest, they're looking for a reason to backout.  Things were different when they thought he was going to stay on top, when they believed Americans would have not problem listening to him ramble inanities, but things have change.  They had zero plans for the Democrats to fire back at them, to scoring lots of points with so many Americans who are simply fed up with the "Just Say No," and "Shut up, I'm in Charge," party.  To be blunt, a large majority of Americans are sick and tired of Donald Fucking Trump.  

The Countdown Begins

 So, it's 58 (F) outside and the temps are predicted to climb into the mid 80s (F).  By Wednesday, the forecast is temps in the mid to upper 90s (F).  See?  I told you summer wasn't over.

Retailers, however, don't have a very good handle on the seasons, mostly because their focus is on selling shit merchandise, and for them seasonal translates to holiday sales.  This means that all of fans and A/C units are being bundled up and stored in the overhead racking in order to make room for the Halloween display, which will be set-up at the beginning of the week.  And, in case you're wondering, people will start buying that Halloween shit merchandise the instant it's on display.  Last year we had some guy loudly pissing and moaning complaining because our website advertised this ragged, little dwarf  skeleton and our display team hadn't unpacked it yet.  Seriously, he was very loud, shrieking about false advertising.  And then he stood glowering, and whining about how long it was taking to find the box so we could unpack it and sell him his ragged, little dwarf skeleton.  The only thing he was missing was a MAGA hat.

Much was accomplished yesterday:  the lawn mowed, 2 loads of laundry washed and hung out to dry, a 3.25 mile walk in the park.  Nothing was packed, though I did spend a few seconds looking at my suitcase.  The pack I bought has many little pouches, so today I will probably store my extra charges in one of them.  I did download an app from a link Explore.com sent me regarding my itinerary.  It's quite informative, with lots of juicy information, including the weather in Greece.  Currently, they're temps are about about the same as those here in Central PA,  During the height of the summer, their temps are closer to those in Tampa, FL.

The 7 day countdown begins today.

And I don't think there's anything that can quite compare to the stupidity of Republicans.  James Comer, in an attempt to disparage Walz, said that "Minnesota is not your normal state...they have a huge population of residents who come from other countries and have very different ideologies that don't really respect capitalism."  That's right, Jimmy Comer just insulted the entire voting population of Minnesota.  You cannot make this shit stuff up.  Or, perhaps what he was trying to say is that Minnesotans do not embrace the Republican values of selfishness and greed.

For those who didn't know, RFK jr now supports Trump.  This is because Trump promised him he could run the Environmental Protection Agency.  It's illegal to promise someone an position in order to get their support.  Orangie tried to create a big "to do" about Kennedy switching his allegiance from the Democrats to the Republicans.  Mostly, the Democrats either yawned or made jokes about Kennedy's brain worm.  Orangie didn't mention that the entire Kennedy clan has come out in support of Harris, or that Kennedy's supporters were Republicans, not Democrats.  Ouch.  

Spooks and Scares

 Outside, the temps are in the low 40s (F).  I was expecting them to be colder, evidently that's going to happen tonight and tomorrow night when they're predicted to hit the low 30s (F).  If we get that low, frost will definitely been in the air... or on the grass, I should say.  Accuweather's strong comment was that those temps will kill the growing season.  I want to deadhead some of my flowers, so I have seeds for next year.

Work was odd yesterday.  Slow, for most of the afternoon, busy in the morning, and strange because this software update from Legacy to something new is wrecking pure havoc.  Some things are ready to go, others are not.  We now have a lot of complicated steps to walk through when selling a carpet or vinyl installation.  Before, the entire order was on the screen and you could click on individual lines to make changes, with this new software you scroll, and scroll, and scroll.  At no time do you get a complete picture of the order.  The product being  purchased is on a different screen then the installation, which means clicking back and forth.  Measure documents for blinds are on another screen, and need to be downloaded before you can view them.  Why this tumultuous change?  Adobe, who managed the old Legacy system, refused to to work with the outdated system, and so we're having to learn how to navigate through a product that is quite cumbersome.

And here's my bit for Halloween.

Right now, even though this is the time for trick or treaters, for dressing up in Halloween costumes, both amusing and scary, probably there is nothing more frightening that the Republican party.  What makes them so frightening is that their base doesn't even know what they stand for because they've coddled to so many specialty groups there no clear platform on which they stand.  The 2nd amendment people rarely look at anything else, and when their elected officials say "tax break," they believe it's for them... it isn't.  Vast numbers of social conservatives haven't a clue as to what Christian Nationalism is, or how it's one step closer to taking America down the road to fascism.   Fiscal Conservatives only thing about Wall Street.  For them, lower tax brackets are just another source of revenue they can bleed until it's depleted.  Really, all the GOP wants to do is say "shut up!  We're in charge!" without even knowing what that means, or how they're going to govern.  They don't really want a fair America.  They just want to be in charge.

On the Bright Side

 When I woke up this morning the outside temp was 50 (F), that's warm for this late in October, and that temp is going to continue to climb for the rest of the week, hitting the low 80s (F) by Saturday.  Then it's gonna plummet, with daily highs only expected to be in the mid 40s, just in time for Halloween. 

Speaking of Halloween, I need to find out which night is trick or treating in my neck of the woods to I can turn my front porch light off.  There is nothing enjoyable in handing out pieces of candy to small children I do not know, many of whom don't even live on my street.  I can remember when people used to brag about the number of trick or treaters they'd get, the same way they'd brag about the number Christmas cards they received as if it was a badge of honor.  I guess it's this thing some people have with numbers, the higher the better, or perhaps it makes them feel as though they're more popular... well, I guess in away that's right, they are popular with strangers, for one night out of the year because they're handing out free candy.  Don't get me wrong.  I like Halloween.  However, like every other holiday, it's become super commercialized.

On the kitchen Reno: all the priming has been done.  Today I'm hoping to paint the walls.  Then, I'll be able to put away my rollers, and brushes, and stir sticks, and move onto something new, like the flooring.  There are 8 boxes of vinyl plank flooring still sitting in the back of my car.  I'll bring them inside this afternoon.

And yesterday this happened.

The Republicans unanimously voted in Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House.  Clean cut Johnson won the job, and not because he happens to be circumcised (you all know what a Johnson is, don't you?)  The anti-woman, anti-LGBQT, pro Trump election denier is about as hard line as the Republicans can get.  It's like they took the ugliness of Jordan and hosed it down to try and make it look squeaky clean.  However, nothing is going to change.  Remember that for the GOP to change, they would need to admit that those beliefs they hold sacred could be improved upon, that perhaps a Centrist approach might be better.  That will never happen.  On the bright side, even though Republicans have a majority in the House, they will accomplish nothing in the next year and a half.

On the bright side, this happened. The Scholastic Press has changed their mind on their book fairs.  They were going to offer an optional package of books on race and gender, however the word optional is no longer applicable.  There are 64 titles that are no longer optional, which is going to piss off those 5 or 6 people who want to censor the minds of young Americans.

  

Weenies

 Well the long weekend is over and it's back to work for many, but not me.  I will never be scheduled to work on a Tuesday because I'm simply not available to be scheduled.  The same goes for Wednesday.  Ain't it nice?  

The weather forecast for today is hot again, with our expected high to be around 96 (F).  That's toasty, not nearly as warm as some of the temperatures many of you have been experiencing this summer, so you all have my condolences.  I have to admit I do find it rather amusing that this late in the Summer, or perhaps I should say this close to Fall, we are dealing with our warmest temps so far this year.  My A/C is finally doing what in previous years it did throughout late June, July, and August.

Business was slow yesterday, at least around the Flooring desk, other departments in the store were busy, but we weren't.  There were weaners and hamburgers from the grill, and chicken, too, but I stuck with the burgers and weaners.  And I didn't graze.  I'm rather pleased about that since I need to take off a few pounds before November arrives.  

What was selling was our Halloween decorations.  Oh, my, my, my, were they flying out of the store.  I snapped a few pics to give you all an idea of what that set-up looks like.  The Jack Skellington is 18 feet high, something almost overwhelming when you're standing right next to him.

I find it fascinating that the crowd at Burning Man is finally beginning to disperse, though the mud is still deep.  Why fascinating?  Because conservatives jumped all over that festival blaming the torrential rains on everything conservatives hate, while the attendees, themselves, are saying the experience was amazing.  Sure, there may be one or two gripers, the ones whose cars will be stuck in the mud because they tried to leave early.  For many of those people this will be their Woodstock, with the great music, of course.  Let's face it, right now Republicans are looking for dead horses to kick in their attempt to take media attention away from the Spawn of Satan.  What they really need to do is sit back and enjoy an good weenie... well, we know that will never happen.

Fly Away

 Well, the weekend has arrived and it's a bit muggy outside.  The last time I checked, the temp was 73 (F) which might indicate this afternoon's temps might be in the mid 90s (F), however they're forecasted to be in the low to mid 80s (F).  We shall see.

I do work today.  Halloween displays should be dropping into the store on Monday, but they've already have boxed 6 foot skeletons in the main aisle.  

So, I signed up for Hulu to watch Only Murders in the Building.  The first season was okay.  I figured out "who dunnit" the instant the character appeared.  Logic, you know.  Who is the most logical person to commit a murder, not the most suspicious, though I do like playing around with suspiciousness.  Last evening I began Season 2 and got a really pleasant surprise: one of the guest starts turned out to be 89 year-old Shirley MacLaine.  What a joy to see her still acting, and being funny! 

The clam in the big tank isn't working for me.  It doesn't open until it fills with air and then the top lifts and these large bubbles escape.  I prefer the smaller bubbles of an air stone, so I will probably replace it with something I like.  The 2nd statue is in place and the live plants are beginning to spread across the gravel, and yes, the statues are all Greek gods, and they're all naked.

And I don't know if anyone else saw this blurb in all the trashy Trump talk, but on August 4 he transferred ownership of Mar a Lago to a company owned by Donny Jr.  I soon as I saw that I went "woah, this is serious."  Anybody else out there know why?  Since not everybody nodded, I'll tell you.  Should the Orange Anus choose to run, (fly-away Donny, fly away), the government could go after his assets (I'm betting Jack Smith would love that).  Now, Mar a Lago is no longer an asset for the Orange Anus.  I know that the Trump hotel in Washington is no longer one of his assets.  In fact, he's been divesting himself of properties since 2020, though his organization still manages some of them.  He is considered a flight risk.  Flying away to Moscow, or where ever, would through all of his fellow indictees under the bus, so to speak, since only a guilty man runs.  Would he be alone?  Somehow I doubt that.  Those that can't afford to go will end up in jail.

My bit for Halloween

Well, I'm hoping that more gets accomplished today than yesterday.  While things did get done, time became freewheeling with no restraints.  Yes, I did get my car inspected.  That took 3 hours, rather than the allotted 90 minutes.  There were 2 cars ahead of me when I got to the dealership.  Normally, they run people through fast.  Not yesterday.  There were evidently issues with the first car, so I sat waiting for 15 minutes are line of cars, also there for either inspections or service, grew behind me. I finally sat down in the waiting room 20 minutes later and waited.  Almost 2 hours later, I was told they were finishing up the emissions testing and my car would be ready shortly.  An hour later (that's right, an hour) my car was fully inspected.  That's a 3 hour wait, and my schedule for the day was blown up.  To compensate, the dealership charge me nothing.  The told me that since this was the 2nd time I'd had to deal with complications getting serviced, they were making the oil change, the tire rotation, and the inspection complimentary.   Still, as I said, my day was now terribly out of sync.

I did drive down to That Fish Place and pick up 4 plecos, two for each tank.  They're yellow, and so cute.

And, while I was waiting for my car to be inspected, the electrician called.  The electric work is being done on 11/22.  They could have done it on the 11/8 (my birthday), but I have a physical down at the Lebanon VA that morning.

Muse has out a Halloween video.  I like Muse.  They may be too rock and roll for some people.  This is me doing my bit and letting you watch it.  Enjoy.

And Fetterman debated Oz last evening.  I didn't watch.  Evidently, Fetterman had some issues with word choice since he's still recovering.  Oz, on the other hand was slick and smarmy.  While conservatives are trying to make hay out of Fetterman's verbal mis-steps, Oz shit in his pants with one terrible statement which most of you have probably already seen.  Oz said, regarding abortion, that any decision needs to include, the mother, her physicians, and local politicians.  That's right, he wants local politicians to be involved in the decision making process.  That comment is not reverberating well.

Finally, there is a lot of chatter about polls either in the process of dying, or already being dead.  My opinion, they're mortally wounded.  There is a certain group who will try and use them, but polls require honesty to work, and that is not happening, and probably will never happen again.  This is how things change.

 

Don't Blink

I'd say "hello weekend," but most of my weekends will be filled with work.  My days as a part-time associate will fall mostly during the week.  This is fine with me.  There are many who believe that Saturday and Sunday are the only days of the week when you can get things done. Mais non, mon frère.  I learned quite a few years ago that the days of the week are much more suited for accomplishment.  There are always fewer crowds, no matter where you go.  Honestly now, wouldn't you rather not have to wait in line for 10 - 15 minutes to check out at a grocery store, or big box home improvement store.  As for going out on a Friday night, I don't need to be surrounded by a crowd to know I'm having a good time.

The weather forecast for today and tomorrow is rain.  That's fine. I work.  This will keep some of the crowds away.

Oh, and for all of you holiday lovers, our set-up crew began unpacking Christmas this past week.  That's right, we've got Halloween raging next to the registers, and Kris Kringle down near the green house.  And, in case you're wondering, people are buying this shit already.  Damn!

Meet our new Lumber Associate

At the NYT, Ezra Klein has published an which looks at projections made by David Shor, and thinks they look bad for the Democrats.  The read is interesting, however, I feel seriously flawed.  He pretty much says to ignore the past and poll the people to find out what it is they want, and then have candidates offer the voters what they desire.  His idea of ballot splitting being non-existent and thereby hurting the Democrats is odd.  Nobody I know actually splits their ballots.  They have always voted straight down party lines. Maybe it's just me, but while I like Ezra, I think here he comes across as a bit of fanboy.

Oh, and the Republicans are furious with McConnell over the debt ceiling.  They're shrieking he blinked.  The MAGA base doesn't realize that not blinking would have made them look even worse then they already are, and the default would have fallen directly into their own laps.  They would rather kill the country rather than blink.

Boo Boo

 Oh my, Lily has a boo boo paw.  Nothing scary or frightening, mind you, just a little limp.  In fact, sometimes she forgets about it and jumps around as though there's nothing wrong.  I'm sure she'll be raring to go for our morning walk... outside... in the cold. It's 35 (F) here in Central Pa.  There's a chance of snow flurries on Monday.  And yes, that is my sole day off until next Sunday.

They NYT Cooking section had a recipe for 'old-fashioned beef stew.'  Yum.  Since I am off Monday, and it is supposed to be a bit blustery, I thought I'd cook up a pot.  I used to eat Dinty Moore until I realized there was so much sodium and fat in each can.  Maybe I'll bake a loaf of bread, too.  Now don't that sound tasty?  Freshly baked bread and beef stew on a cold, windy, pre-election day?

I saw where the Idiot Jerk in the White House has cancelled his plans for a large election night extravaganza at his International Hotel in Washington.  Invitations for the 'epic' event had been sent out.  Instead, he's going to be holding a smaller event, possibly at the White House, a place where social distancing is avoided to please the plague.  No actual explanation has been given.  Maybe he's expecting a boo boo moment.

And what about Texas?  The total number of people who have participated in early voting in the 2020 election has now exceeded those who went to the polls in 2016.  Republicans hate this shit.  They believe no one should vote until election day.  They want you to stand in lines and wait.  They want voting to be a difficult process because in their tiny little minds this is a demonstration of party loyalty, and no one is more loyal than a Republican.  In fact, the whole thought process behind voter intimidation is base on that single belief.  But then they've never been too smart, have they?  

So, let's show them our inner Halloween and scare the shit out of them!

Boo.... Boo

 

The Tinfoil Dictator

Holy Crap! Sunday snuck up on me... and turned into my Friday!  That's right! My weekend starts the minute I leave work this evening.  Now, ain't that just jolly!  Of course, after that I enter into scheduling hell where I work 5 days, have a day off, and then get to work another 5 days.  Son of a bitch!!

Our Halloween merchandise is on super duper clearance right now.  Even the ugly stuff is selling cause it's cheap. I am always amazed at how people will spend their hard earned dollars on something crappy simply because there's a yellow 'clearance' tag stuck on the box.  Sometimes life is not about buying 'clearance.'  There is a reason that tag is on merchandise... to clear inventory.  A day doesn't go by when someone doesn't come up to the flooring desk and ask "what's on sale."  One of these days I'm going to honestly say "the crappy shit."

And ain't this sweet?

Jared and Ivanka Danka have threatened to sue.  Keep in mind that because they're considered advisors, both of them are being paid with your tax dollars.  I wonder how good Jared's Russian is since I can see a relocation to somewhere south of Moscow in the near future.

And there are now Covid diagnosis's in the Pence Party.  Fool. He no doubt thought he was in a restaurant and waved his flimsy, little hand in the air a few times saying "I'll have three infections over here."

This is all over the news, now:  The Idiot jerk was at a 'private donor' event down in Nashville and told those who had paid up to $250,000 to be in the same room as him that the Republicans were most likely going to lose their senate seats.  Imagine what those donors must have felt like, paying those kind of bucks to be told by the Idiot Jerk "yeah, we're probably going to lose the Senate."  I wonder how many of them asked for a refund.  I would have.  I mean... shit!  These are not the words they expected to hear from a tinfoil dictator.

The same definition

 Ah... Friday.  This is kind of my humpy day since I'm in the middle of a 6 day work week.  That's right, today's my third.  The weather's supposed to be cool, drizzly, possibly rainy, so that might keep the shoppers away.  If you are interested in stopping by, our Halloween stuff is flying out the doors.  Markdowns have begun.  Now when a customer walks into the flooring department and asks what's on sale, I can point to the front of the store and say "that big, green, inflatable monster."

I'm a little sore from yesterday's visit to Planet Fitness.  I suspect getting back into shape may take a little longer since I am now a little older.  That's fine.  There's nothing wrong with a little muscular discomfort if muscles maintain their mass.  Maintenance is everything.  

Ben Sasse, a Republican from Nebraska up for re-election, apparently trashed the Idiot Jerk in the White House in a phone call to constituents.  This was not simple criticism. Once again, we hear the word 'bloodbath.'

And what about those New York Post stories on Hunter Biden?  Social media is in the process of shutting them down for a number of reasons.  I do believe now their source is being classified as being tampered with by the Russians.  This was, I think, supposed to be another October Surprise.  Instead, Giuliani is being investigated for possibly helping the Russians.  Could a charge of treason be in his future?

And there was a non-debate last evening.  Dueling Town Halls, is what the media was the event (s).  Evidently Biden talked for long periods of time treating the time with voters as an actual Town Hall, even going over his allotted times spot.  As for the Idiot Jerk?  He was contentious and irritable. One headlines claims he "even forgot to attack Biden."  Ouch!!  He used a throwaway line to say he rather than forcefully deny white supremacy.  Oh, and he couldn't bring himself to denounce QAnon (sp).  You have to remember, this man thrives on the underbelly of conspiracy theories.  

Oh, and there are quiet whispers coming from Rupert Murdoch, a billionaire buddy of the Idiot Jerk, who's quietly prophesizing a "landslide victory for Biden."  Notice, he didn't say bloodbath... but in this case, landslide has pretty much the same definition.

 

November

It's November!  My favorite month of the year.  This is my birthday month.  I'm a Scorpio... can you tell?  I do have a bit of a temper that every now and then rears up and bites off nearby heads.  When that happens, my rule is to shrug and say "So what... this is me!"
Here in Central PA we had a steady rain most of yesterday afternoon and the temps climbed into the mid 70's (F).  Then, last evening, around quarter to 7, the skies exploded with thunder and lightening.  Wind screamed through the maple trees on my hill behind the house, rending leaves, and twigs, and sticks free to send them shrieking into the maelstrom.  Rain crashed into my house like waves upon the shore, sounding like dying hands pounding on the windows.  My freaking phone was crying out high wind warnings, and tornado warnings, and then flood warnings every few minutes.  This went on for almost an hour.... and then silence.  Hell, I have a half an inch of water in my basement.  I would have to say that in all of my years, it was a Halloween night to remember.
In a bit of lighter news, the impeachment proceedings took a baby step towards public hearings.  As might be expected, voting was partisan as hell.  This is what we expect from Republicans.  Their grubby, little mitts are clenched tightly to the Idiot Jerk's shroud.  For them to let go, they need to admit he is a scourge from Hell and we know that will never happen.  He will drag them into purgatory, where their souls will be lightly crisped before he snacks upon them.  Yum yum.  That moment can't happen soon enough.
Here's another bit of fluff.  The Moral Degenerate is moving his legal residence to Florida.  He loves him his winter golf.  Personally, I think this transition is more political than anything else.  He won Florida in 2016, however...  Things are a bit different.  His henchies have no doubt told him New York is going to go royally blue and Florida is edging in that direction.  Florida has a lot of Electoral Votes.  While not a sure shot, the best way to keep those votes from changing color is to move to his castle on the beach.  He's going to give up his snowbird status.  Of course, I might be wrong.  The Idiot Jerk might just be planning on building the largest retirement community for old and dying Republicans the country has ever seen.
As for that little thing called the impeachment inquiry.  The GOP is rapidly pulling their wagons into a circle in an attempt to hold out until the cavalry comes to save their sorry asses.  Oops. I guess no one told them how much they've alienated the cavalry by calling their heroes cowards and traitors.  Their mask is off and he is the face of Republican Party.  They've given us their trick for long enough, soon... so very soon, they're going to be getting their long deserved Treat... and it ain't a Snickers bar.

Scary and True

Happy Halloween! I had a picture I was going to add here... but everything seems to be moving slower this morning.  Not enough sugar in the system perhaps.
Today is All Hallows Eve, a day in which the House will vote on the Impeachment Inquiry.  The GOP is shaking in their boots.  I guess Laura Ingraham has warned the racist right-wingers that if the impeachment proceeds there will be no GOP in 2020.  Or, to be more precise, it was more like "without the Idiot Jerk in the White House there will be no GOP in 2020."  That stupid bottled blond phony Christian wants Republicans to chain themselves to the anchor now known as the Idiot Jerk in the White House.  How's that for blind loyalty.
Here, in Central PA rain is in the forecast.  A soggy Trick or Treat night is planned for this evening.  Some communities chose to hold it last evening, others didn't.  I don't participate.  I don't have a cooking pot big enough for kiddies... ooohh, I didn't say that, did I?  I would never do that.  They never get close enough to the house.  My baying doggies keep them far enough away.
I'd like to thank Treaders for letting me know that some of the media in Europe is reporting facial recognition software was used to identify 20,000 of the booing fans in Nationals Park.  I know a little bit about facial recognition software.  Research, you know?  In "The Body in the Tower" facial recognition software is used in an attempt to discern the identity of the killer during the shooting at the Eiffel Tower.  Facial recognition relies on 5 - 7 points on a still photo to identify you.  You can unlock certain phones by looking directly into the camera, and those 5 - 7 points need to be in the same place. If you're laughing, those points move and it doesn't work.  If you're chanting "lock him up" some of those points are moving and facial recognition software doesn't work.  And, of course, those 5 - 7 points of your face need to be saved in a database which the software can access which is not too plausible at this time.  For the time being, identifying individuals in a crowd of moving faces is impossible.  It didn't work in "The Body in the Tower," and it's not going to work on those crowd videos from Nationals Park.
And since I can't give you a picture, I'll give you this:  the sound of every Republican heart in a America thinking about today's vote in the House.

Holidays

Well, it's Friday... for me.  I'm off tomorrow and they're calling for rain in the evening, that's fine.  I have plans for the late morning and afternoon, but should be home by then.  I'm off on Monday, too.  No plans.  I'll be honest, one of the things I don't understand is why so many Americans feel the need to do something on a holiday.  It's like:  Okay, it's a holiday, do something to celebrate: wow, being able to not do anything means you need to do something.  Whatever happened to just taking the day off?  Not doing anything?  In today's work environment the number of people who do not get three day weekends to celebrate is growing, almost exponentially.  Oh, sure, some can think of it as a holiday, but if you work in the health field, or service field; if you're a nurse, or a police officer, or a waitress, or barmaid, or sales clerk, you're probably going to be working.  So, if you do have the day off, remember to be considerate to those who are working otherwise they may tell you that you're not really that special.
And speaking of special: It's that time of year.

Halloween is probably the only holiday I enjoy.  Nothing terrifies the little trick or treaters than 180 lbs of barking dogs!

More tariffs are kicking in... so be prepared to pay even more.

And what about Dorian?  I saw where the an ex Prime Minister apologized for saying Mar Lago was its target.  The truth is, they don't know exactly where it will make landfall, if it even does.  I mean, think about it, we don't really want it to hit the Idiot Jerk's summer palace.  Think of all of those legal immigrants working there who'd lose their jobs.  For them, it would be anything but a holiday because you know he'd fight their unemployment claims.