The Body in 4/4 Time - the video

Good morning!  We have 67 (F) outside and fog for miles and miles.  The sun is attempt to shine through and I don't doubt that very soon it will.  We have a lot of humidity.  No showers are in our forecast, just higher temps.  By Thursday we should be able to cook an egg on the sidewalk, unless you have a dog named Howie who will eat that sucker up before it has a chance to sizzle.

Work was slow yesterday.  Our store did not make plan for last week.  The dreaded lead table was not set up.  Maybe they realized, as Treaders suggested, no one was really going to sign up for a $10,000 home improvement project just to get a hot dog.  I'll be interested in whether or not they decide to set it up for next weekend.  It's a holiday.  Historically, traffic is not heavy on the Fourth of July.  Too many people are having cook-outs and barbeques.  Besides, the temperature is going to be around 102 (F).  The only ones showing up are gong to be those believing we're going to be running special holiday sales.  We do run specials, but they tend to be at the end of fiscal months, fiscal quarters, and halves, and at year end.

So, I've been toying around with making a short video introducing The Body in 4/4 Time, and the results are... okay.  If I had spent more time, I might have been able to emphasize a downbeat, or played around with the subtitles, which are gone in the blink of an eye.  Still, the beat is there, though I guess for some the question will be "is this 4/4 time?"  After all, it is really all about the beat.

And Orangie's great Freedom America fair continues to fail.  This is like his failed military parade.  He so desperately wanted it to be like his Blo Bro Vlads, whose parade this year was extensively toned down because he was afraid the Ukraine would blow it up. Things are so bad in Russia, that this past week when Vlad addressed the Russian congress and told that that the country had difficult times ahead.  He's losing the war.  It turns out that the great authoritarian government he bragged about to the world was nothing more than propaganda.  All of those authoritarian conservatives, like Jim Jordan and the rest of his ilk who dreamt of creating an American version are now finding out that they fell in love with smoke and mirrors.  It seems as though the Ukraine has all of the cards, while Vlad doesn't even have enough talent to pull a rabbit out of a hat.

The US Supreme Court is set to release 8 decisions today. That's right.  Today we learn if Alito, and Thomas, and Roberts cement their positions as the worst, most despicable, anti-democracy members of the court in the history of this country.  I'm betting they do.

Tasty!

 So, here it is Thursday and I get to go back to work for a full day.  The weather forecast is for a high around 70 (F), but rain is also in the forecast.  The freezing rain forecasters predicted for yesterday never put in an appearance.  We had about 2 minutes of drizzle, and then around noon the sun started poking through the clouds.  There was freezing rain in the state, just not where I live.

Yesterday, I made lasagna.  This is so delicious.  The funny thing was, standing by the kitchen counter holding a box of lasagna noodles, I realized I could have made my own.  I have a pasta maker.  True, making the noodles would take a little longer, but then you don't have to boil them until they're andante.  I ended up freezing quite a bit.  Here's a piece on the foil waiting to be wrapped.

And one of those not too surprising headlines a major study has proven ivermectin doesn't work... at all.  One of the words describing this treatment for parasites was 'useless.'  With this in mind, I'd like to take a moment to thank Joe Rogan for helping kill off a number of Republican voters... which, if you think about it, proves that ivermectin wasn't entirely useless.  

Evidently Will Smith was asked to leave the Oscar ceremony after the SLAP, and refused.  And now pictures have surfaced of him singing and dancing to his own music at an 'after Oscar party.'  It's almost like he's writing a book called "How To Make Yourself Look Like A Flaming Asshole."

And Joe McCarthy and Steve Scalise had a chat with Madison Cawthorn about his saying older Republicans do lines of Coke and have orgies.  Sounds like they're trying to put make-up on a pig.

Finally, there is so much buzz about Loser #45 asking the Russians for assistance, (he wants dirt on Biden), and them call him their 'partner.'  The Orange Anus is growing terribly desperate.  His rally in Georgia was... not well attended.  He's planning another one in Michigan in an area where the roads are intended for low volume, residential traffic (meaning a traffic jam from Hell).  America now knows there are 7 hours of missing phone logs from January 6, which means he and his staff weren't just using burner phones.  In less than 3 weeks he needs to testify before a Grand Jury.  And, all of this demonstrates his stupidity, because he thinks dirt on Biden is the answer.

 

Tasty

I'm back to work today... for one day, and then off again.  Then it's back for 4, off 2, on 2, and then off for 5.  I have this vacation I need to use before September, so I'm taking time off in July and in August.

Yesterday was slow and uneventful.  The temps were hot, but didn't crack that 100 (F) mark which had been predicted.  In the evening we had brief dry thunderstorm, that was very loud for a few minutes.  Since there was no rain, I ended up going out and watering my garden.  My eggplants are getting large.  I picked 2 of my banana peppers.  

For lunch, I made a cold meatloaf sandwich on fresh, homemade bread.  It was delish.

Windows is doing an update, so everything is slow.  I don't know if this is part of the Windows 11 package, but things have changed in the way I find pictures.  Something new to learn.

For those of you who didn't hear, last week the RNC was hacked by the Russians... or at least one of the cybermobs funded by the Russians.  Now, I don't know about you, but I think this is rather amusing.  I wonder if Load #45 even cares that his Besties are trying to find out what his party is up to, probably not.  Or, maybe they were just interested in getting all the email addresses for every MAGA head in America. 

Hey, and I even saw where McConnell is beginning to really push his constituents to get their asses vaccinated.  Oooohhhh.  Maybe Mitch has finally realized his old ass can't get re-elected if half of his supporters are either dead or ventialted.

And the Jolly Holiday continues

Well, I don't have a cold, rather my Adam's apple appears to be the focal point of this health event... or...in planer words, I have a sore throat.  Glands are swollen.  Which means I'm taking off work for a 2nd day in a row.  I took my temperature and it's a tad below normal which probably means there's no bacterial infection, still around 8 I'll call and see if I can get a doctor's appointment.  Yippey for me!
By the way, the stock market dropped again yesterday - the Fed raised interest rates.  The Idiot Jerk hates this.  His motto has always been "more Money! more Money!"  He wants you to be as deep in debt as possible since that makes his banker buddies lots and lots of money.  A higher interest rate tends to curtail lending organizations who desperately want you to sign away the farm as collateral.
The Idiot Jerk also decided to pull our military out of Syria... purely to satisfy his base, or maybe it was the Russians.  Having our troops there was an expense... and he'd rather have them getting paid to stand around down at the border with Mexico.  The fact that doing so leaves Syria in the hands of the Russians and the Iranians means nothing to him.  For all we know, his focus is still on building that tower in downtown Moscow.
I talked to the director of Greenfield yesterday about not receiving my Mom's last billing.  That's right, I haven't gotten her final bill.  He mumbled something like "... uh... well... I believe it's in this months billing."  I used to manage Account's Payable for International Paper.  His response is unacceptable.  When I told him so, he said "... uh... well... I can call my boss."  Did he call me back with an update?  Now, why would he do something so professional?
And, of course, "Mary Poppins Returns" will be opening in a theater near you in just a few days.  Will I go?  Well, of course.  Back in that magical summer of 1964, when I was 11 years old, I went to see the original twice.  Can we even compare Emily Blunt to Julie Andrews?  I think not.  Julie has a voice and Emily?  Well, she sings.  There are two openly gay men in the cast - Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Ben Whishaw... well, it is a musical, isn't it?  I don't doubt for a second, however, nostalgia will make this a blockbuster.  All those other kids who saw it in 1964 will sit in the audience and cry.

We like to think of those days as filled with innocence.  What so many fail to realize is that in 1964 two American destroyers were fired upon by the North Vietnamese signaling our entrance into an ugly war which killed so many of our young men and women.  I'm one of those few who got watch "Mary Poppins" and go to Vietnam.  How's that for a jolly holiday?

Koch patties

Monday.  This is the middle of my work week, kind of.... this is my 3rd day of 4 in a row.  Then I have a mid-week weekend, and then get to work for another 5.  I can feel the need for a 32 hour work week... and it's bad.
Yesterday wasn't bad... hot as hell here in Central PA.  There were heat alerts.  When I left the store at 4:30 (PM) the temp was 97 (F).  They're forecasting 90 degree temps again for today... and tomorrow.
And the new regime is beginning to click.  I did 35 minutes on the elliptical when I got home from work yesterday.  The day before I got in a 30 minute bike ride.  Tonight, well I should do free weights, but I'm skipping that in order to wack away at my weeds.  I could wait until Wednesday, when I'm off, but they're calling for thunderstorms on Wednesday.  There have been enough rain delays.
Oh, and I see that the Idiot Jerk is now saying Junior Scumbag did meet with the Russians... to get dirt on Hillary.  He's claiming such meetings happen all of the time.  No wonder he's been singing "collusion is not a crime."  All he's doing is edging that scab, knowing that ripping it off suddenly might give his followers a reason to pause.  It's going to get ripped off whether they like it or not.  Prepare yourselves for the screams!  Some of his Centrist hoard will drop off.  The right wing nut jobs, the ones who really hate America will hang on as dingle berries.
And China has taken a long, difficult look at the Idiot Jerk's tariffs and said "fuck you."
Another hardy Ha Ha goes to the Koch brother (s).  They spent years funneling millions to Republican campaigns because... they could manipulate their conservative views.  Or, so they thought.  While they did donate quite a bit to other Republican candidates, they pretty much sat out the Presidential Race.  And now they have to deal with the Idiot Jerk in the White House.  He doesn't like them (him) because they (he) doesn't kiss his ass.  And they (he) hates the Idiot Jerk because he embodies everything they've been fighting against.  The Koch consortium is being shredded by the Idiot Jerk, who calls them names.  He says they're stupid.  And, that does not sit well.  Ha Ha.  They're more than a little responsible for creating this mess.  Hence, this damage control mode they've jumped into.  That's right, they saw a cow patty, wanted to step close to it, but not in it and not only stomped it dead center, but fell on their asses.  OOPS!  For years they totally ignored the anger their candidates were stoking - now it's too late.  They managed to get the uncontrollable Idiot Jerk elected.  Way to go, bros!

Pancakes on a Sunday Morning

Well, it's Sunday.  I don't work today.  I do have to work tomorrow, but then I have 2 days off.  The next 2 weeks are 40 hour work weeks.  This is how it goes sometimes.
We had a shit load of rain  yesterday, anywhere from 2 - 5 inches.  We're supposed to have more storms this afternoon.  And tomorrow.   And Tuesday.  And heavy thunderstorms on Wednesday.
I only left work 15 minutes early yesterday - that's fine.
Being that it is Sunday, I made pancakes for breakfast - early.  The dogs go me up around 0430.  They have no idea what the hour is, or that I might want to sleep a little early.  The were rewarded yesterday for going out in the rain - they hate getting wet, however they love biscuits more, besides, they think toweling them off is some sort of game.

Pancakes - with blueberries

Yesterday was pretty quiet on the news front.  As far as I know, the Idiot Jerk in the White House didn't vomit anything up that was truly bad. of course, if he had, one of his stooges would have quickly swallowed it whole, only to throw it up as something just as chunky.

A lot of you are wondering when this nightmare is going to end.  The answer is probably a bit more complicated than you want to hear.  After he was elected, I gave him 2 years... well we've got about 6 months left.  If you look at what Republicans are saying on the sidelines, and, more important, what they are not, they almost in panic mode, not about the Idiot Jerk, but about what he's doing to their party.  You see their Conservative, hardcore base is small.  They rely on Centrist Republicans, Centrists, and feeble minded fools to get themselves and a president elected.  The Centrist crowd is not liking this Russian bullshit at all.  Their votes can no longer be counted.  Instead of growing the base, the Idiot Jerk is constantly those voters so necessary for party survival.

To make matters worse, the military, which has always been reliably Republican, is being served turdburgers daily.  They are more than a little upset by all this Russian bullshit.

The Idiot Jerk is on the verge of stepping across a line even the GOP can not ignore, and so, on the sidelines, they are quietly assessing the number of votes they have in congress should they choose to take the impeachment route (which daily seems more and more likely).  They are preparing to move into damage control mode.

After that, we'll have to deal with Pence.  His association with the Idiot Jerk will pretty much turn him into a wet noodle.  His failure is certified.

Use your anger.

Grow the vote.

Grab that can of Raid

Thursday - not quite my hump day but heading in that direction. 
Yesterday morning I'd set the alarm for 0430... well, it went off and I went back to bed.  I had planned to continue getting up early, being a morning person, however, that might change.  I would need to get up real early to get a ride in on a work day, which doesn't really appeal to me.  So I will probably end up sleeping in an hour later and then not go to bed at 9 PM.  We'll have to see how this goes.  I just need to reallocate the time.
Evidently the Idiot Jerk's variation of a cluster fuck is still flopping around like a couple of ugly Russkies flopping around nekked in a Golden Shower.  His problem is that he lies so much he, himself can no longer remember what he said.  Sarah (I sold my soul to the Idiot Jerk to get this job) Sanders, was doing so much twisting and turning to avoid the truth she almost got whiplash.  It seems a reporter asked the Idiot Jerk if he believed the Russians were still meddling in our elections.  He responded by saying "no."  She asked a second time and his response was the same.  Now, however, Sarah ( I sold my soul to the Idiot Jerk to get this job) that his "no" actually meant "I'm not going to answer that question."  If that was the case, why didn't he just point his finger at a different reporter and say "next?"
If there is Russian interference in our Mid-terms... guess who's going to get blamed?  It sure as hell isn't going to be Hillary...  oh, wait, what I'm saying....  The Republicans always blame the Clintons.    Remember when the real estate bubble exploded and we had that big recession during W's days in the White House?  After running the country for almost 7 years... they blamed Clinton.  Their base believes this bullshit.  In fact, the Idiot Jerk's supporters are sticking with him.  Sort of like flies to shit, if you know what I mean.  Who stuck with the aforementioned 'W' during the worst recession in history?  His supporters.  The Republican base.  There were more of the back then. 
Anyway, bott the House and Senate are getting worried.  Their approval ratings are lower than those of the Idiot Jerk.  That, however, is not their main problem.  There are a lot of angry blue's out there who they will have to contend with, that's important.  More important, and more damning, is that they're doing a terrible job at controlling the Idiot Jerk.  The country doesn't really like it when one party is in this much control.  They like it better when the power is spread around.  The Idiot Jerk is too erratic, too ego driven, too narcissistic, in fact he is too 'everything that is bad for most people.'  That's what their problem is, and it's only going to get worse.  Those tariffs are starting to kick in.  Washers and dryers are getting more expensive.  Brazil is going to take over the soybean market...  This is just the beginning.  Kind of reminds me of that old scif fi movie "The beginning of the End."

The Idiot Jerk is buggy as hell.  Like a swarm of giant grasshoppers, his supporters devoured the popular vote, leaving only the bones of the Electoral College to come to power.  Like a swarm of locusts they are chowing down on everything we hold normal, sane, and democratic.  The time has come to grab that can of Raid.

Shut... Up

So, I see that Jeffy (the Keebler Elf) has finally sold his soul to the Idiot Jerk in the White House, not that his blackened stain of a hear was worth much.  And the Idiot Jerk wants to sue Stormy Daniels for $20 million - but then this also is what that shit stain of a human being has always done.  There's a difference this time, however, the McMaster firing and the Daniels lawsuit are all going very, very public.  And it's not sitting well with a number of people.  But then, this is Republican stupidity at its height.  The time has come to vote them into oblivion.
Hackers are at the gates of power girds, and utilities and, of course, the Idiot Jerk doesn't care.  I suspect the only thing that will really bother him will be when he's pilloried on the White House lawn so people can pelt him with rotten eggs.  This will happen.  The sooner, the better.  How do I know?  Even Trey Gowdy is breaking with the GOP.  Stating that the Russians were directly involved in trying to get the Idiot Jerk into the White House, they indirectly imply that there was collusion.  Of course, I've said before, I suspect this to be the main reason he's not running for re-election.  He knows the hammer is going to come down hard on the GOP as Americans vote them into oblivion.
The time has come to take back our country from the Crazies on the Right.
Shut them up and shut them down.
We do this by taking back the House and the Senate.  The easiest way for this to happen is to regionalize the party and then isolate the regions.  No more purple states.  Blue forever.
For years Social Conservatives have been saying there's a war against Christianity.  The time has come to start calling that lie out.  Tell them to shut up.  The only war is the one they, themselves have started.  When some one fool says "It's against my religion," just tell them to shut up. 
In fact, that's a very good first step in shutting them up and shutting them down.  Just say "shut... up," and make sure you include that little pause between those 2 words.  No profanity.  Just 2 words.  "Shut... up."  Do that a couple of times and you'll get to see a Republican brain explode.

Worst Case Scenario

So, what is a worst case scenario?  That event which has the most serious ramifications on our life?  For the most part, yes, though I'm sure there are others who might be able to provide variations on that decision.  For my friend Betsy, that would be a long life.  Of course, old age could be seen as a worst case scenario for a lot of people.  My Mom's 84 and has dementia, for her it's a fact she lives with, and forgets, daily.  Betsy needs to get herself a new car, she's 65, and in her mind, she cannot see herself driving when she's 70.  Twelve years ago she had a very serious stroke which put her in a coma for almost 2 weeks.  She had a marvelous recovery, and even though her personal physician tells her she could live well into her 90's, she can picture that.  As a result, she's going to buy an 11 year old car that will probably end up costing her much more than the price of a newer car.  When you tell her she might still be working 10 years from now, she tells you she can't see that happening.  For her, living to be 80 is a worst case scenario, because at some point this 11 year old car is going to fall apart and she may not have the money to buy another one.
For Paul Manafort, his worst case scenario is going to happen today.  BBC is reporting that he, and someone else, are going to be turning themselves over to authorities this morning.  He is being charged with colluding with the Russians to help put the Idiot Jerk in the White House.  I suspect he's going to try and change this from being his worst case scenario into is almost worst case scenario by turning state's witness, which would make this his 'almost worst case scenario.'  His worst case scenario might be someone in the Idiot Jerk's administration tries to have him wacked in order to shut him up.
For the Idiot Jerk in the White House?  Today will not be his worst case scenario, but I suspect this is the start.  Prepare yourself for shrieking Tweets from the White House, (chortle, chortle).  This is, of course, the proverbial tip of the iceberg.  Don't be surprised if you see a hoard for crazy Evangelical leaders rushing to lay their consoling hands upon his heaving shoulders, because this is going to smack that lying sack of shit in the face.  Everybody knows that if Manafort had asked "hey, want me to see if the Russkies can help?"  The Idiot Jerk would have said "sounds like a plan."
Now, I'm not saying this is the perfect time to reach for your party hats and noisemakers.

But it might be a good time to put them in a handy location.

Axed

And the bodies start to fall.  A little over 3 weeks into his term, one of DT's most loyal, most strident, most vocal supporters was axed.  The purported reason is Flynn was having unsanctioned talks about sanctions with the Ruskies, however, knowing how much the Idiot in Charge panders to Putin, I suspect the communications were totally authorized.  You see, as a CEO, DT could have his subordinates talk to whomever he wanted.  He's a wheeler and dealer, remember, and there is that toasty prized of getting to be one of Putin's Pals.
Funny thing, I checked out Breitbart, (remember, it's nice to know what your enemies are thinking, and they are all so very vocal there), and while 2 or 3 voices were raised in common sense, most of them were already chasing each other around the track with the crazy baton.  There is an almost symbiotic relationship between their idiot logic and the logic of the Idiot in Chief that is difficult to ignore.  And in case you were wondering, they were blaming the FBI, and the CIA for intruding and eavesdropping on a loyal American.  Crazy is as Crazy does.

I'm sure this did not go down well with DT.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Kellyanne wasn't down on her knees, scrub rag in hand, trying to clean up after the shit storm.  And Pence?  No doubt he's been grounded.  

This is, of course, just the first head to roll.  There were be more, many, many more as the Idiot in Charge learns he is now going to be held accountable to the American People, and by that I mean the vast majority, not that minority of crazy conservatives who managed to get him into office.  The shit storm is just beginning. 

Portrait of Trump

So I had breakfast with my brother this AM.  When I told him I was moving funds from my 401K to more safer investments he looked rather blank, so I explained to him that I was worried about the stock market.  Right now that baby is bubbling like a champagne bottle that's been shaken (by DT) and, I suspect, maybe after his inauguration, the cork is going to pop.  My brother doesn't understand.  He thinks climbing almost 100 points everyday is normal.  He thinks DT is having a positive influence on Wall Street.  I don't.  I'm too old to have my 401K drop like a rock.  I'm playing it safe.
And this whole Russian thing is very funny.  You see DT doesn't understand politics.  The idea that Putin might see him a a dolt, a very rich reality star who believes saying "you're fired" puts the two of them on the same playing field, and he's wrong (of course).  DT doesn't understand world domination.  To him the idea that a foreign government, which has been our enemy much longer than our friend, might want to set him up to knock us down is ridiculous.  DT doesn't realize he's had to file for bankruptcy 4 times because of his own bad decisions.  The truth that DT is a bad man, a very, very bad man who will make us suffer for his own stupidity.  Will he make it through 4 years?  I doubt it.
Anyway, I went to visit my 83 year old Mom today.  She signed herself up for a painting class.  Once a week she goes and and paints a picture.  Spiders.  She's been painting spiders about as well as any 83 year old woman with slight dementia.  This is her portrait of Putin.

He has 12 legs.  If you look closely you can see she's written "not again."  I don't ask.  I took a picture of this one because she likes the blue background.  There are others.  All spiders.  Not all of them have 12 legs, some have 8, some have 6, and one has 10.  Or maybe it's not Putin, maybe it's Trump.  I mean, every time he turns around there's going to be a finger pointing.  Makes more sense, doesn't it?  Trump saying "not again."

Blue is Gone, Russian for all

That's right, the skulking taker of clandestine photographs was let go on the day I had my eye surgery.  And, evidently, it wasn't only the pics that got her into trouble.  Apparently she would "reprimand" associates and if they didn't correct their behavior she would make an anonymous call to corporate and file a complaint.  She did this so frequently they could easily verify her as the caller.  Now she's out of a job.  My, what a sunny day!

And then there's Trump and his Russian connections.  His problem is that he doesn't see his buddy Vlad as a dictator.  Nope.  He sees him as a  savvy businessman who's make oodles of money off of the backs of the Russian people.  Let's be honest here, Putin has a lot more money in the bank than Trump, and you can bet he doesn't pay any Income Tax.  In fact, he, no doubt, is getting refunds even though he isn't paying in to the Russian equivalent of the IRS.  That's what Trump looooves.  In fact, in Trump's mind that is a huuuuuge perk president's get.

Of course, realizing that Vlad was going to be Don's BFF, I got to worrying about all of Don's trumplodite supporters.  Poor things, they're not going to understand a word Vlad says.  Wait!  There is a way!  I posted this link on Facebook.  It takes them to Amazon where they can purchase, from Rosetta Stone, a Russian language course.  For only $248 they, too, can speak Russian.  No more secrets!!!