Bottle of Wine

I might be drunk. 

And by "might", I mean "am". 

I met former co-workers for socially distanced drinks, and yowza, I killed an entire bottle of wine on my own, since no one was sharing anything of any kind. 

There was food, and the four of us had individual gift bags of gear to eat things on our own, but for the most part, no food was consumed. 

I was too busy making friends with an eight year old golden named Rosie. She picked me for the sucker who'd pet and not stop - and she was correct.

Yet glass, after tiny glass of wine went consumed until the entire bottle was empty. 

Luckily, 710 came and picked me up and chauffeured me to an thai restaurant and then home. 

Yet it's far too late, and I'm far too inebriated to be bothered with an official post.  Sorry. 

Song by: Judy Collins

Winner

With work, travel, Ginsberg, Covid, General Death and Destruction, Mike and I kind of let the Emmy competition slip away from us. 

I mean, I shot him a message first thing Sunday morning with an "OMG" text. It's not like he responded right away, with an "IKR" one, but........such is the commitment (or lack of) to this relationship. 

So we have no witty remarks to share with you regarding our selections, as we had few even amongst ourselves. If ever. 

As it turns out, the area from which I copied the nominees weren't even the entire list, so we kind of agreed to do was that list - though neither of us were jazzed about doing it at all, I dare say.

I didn't go Schitt's Creek crazy, so there was little chance of me winning, but good for that show for pretty much cleaning up - though their mask use at the show was horrible.  

We attempted to watch the award show via text, but without great success. We both trailed off and not one of us mentioned it to the other. 

DRAMA SERIES - Both won

COMEDY SERIES - Both won

LEAD ACTRESS, DRAMA - Both lost

LEAD ACTOR, DRAMA - Blobby

SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA - Both lost

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA - Both lost

LEAD ACTRESS, COMEDY - Mike

LEAD ACTOR, COMEDY - Both win

SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY Mike

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY - Both lost

LIMITED SERIES -Both won

TV MOVIE - Both won

LEAD ACTRESS, TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES - Mike 

LEAD ACTOR, TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES - Blobby

SUPPORTING ACTRESS, TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES - Mike

SUPPORTING ACTOR, TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES - Blobby

COMPETITION PROGRAM - Both won

VARIETY TALK SERIES - Both lost

HOST FOR A REALITY OR COMPETITION PROGRAM - Mike

Mike prevails: 5-3.  Bragging rights are his only prize.  (psssst....he does that even if there isn't a competition between us.)

I dare say - with the lack of movies this year, I don't know how our Oscar competition (our would-be 10th!)  is going to go. As it turns out, Elizabeth Moss is a shoe-in for Best Actress from the never watched, the Invisible Man.  Alas, there is no other competition for that category as of yet. 

But I would hate for Covid to stamp upon our decade-long tradition. I guess we shall see. 

Song by: Pet Shop Boys

My Music Monday

Listen - I know I've done this one before. And I. Do. Not. Care. 

The Cardigans' "I Need Some Fine Wine and You, You Need to Be Nicer" came across my playlist and I just forgot how much I frickin' love this song and band. 

This is from their last release in 2006 (2007 for the U.S.). 

I've listened to Nina Persson solo work, and it's ok, but I think the band, as a collective, brings more than she can just by herself. 

Technically, they have never broken up, so there is still hope for more music. 

But I do love this song. 

And yes.  I'm drunk. Again.  On wine.  Fuck the nicer part. 

Holding Out For a Hero

Actually, to replace one heroine, we are holding out for three heroes / heroines. 

As it turns out, 710 and I happened to be in DC on Friday when we got the word about Ruth Bader Ginsberg's death. 

Now, I loved my parents, but I was far more devastated by RBG's death than theres. The fate of this country did not rest on the fate of my parents being dead or alive. 

Of course, with three (?) bouts of cancer, there was am expiration date for Ruth, but I was hoping - nay - needing - her to survive until January 21, 2021. 

This was more important than the 2020 election. 

I'd say 'prove me wrong', but you can't. 

BLOTUS might actually lose the election (though I am FAR from convinced of this). But he'll contest it all the way to the Supreme Court. I don't know what that looks like with eight justices. 

However, I DO know what it looks like with a full court - three of them being BLOTUS apointees: any decision going to BLOTUS, regardless of the actual law. 

Make no mistake, the GOP plan is to have a replacement before the election - that third apointee. 

This has made me manic in the last 48 hours. 

The republican led Senate is going to push through someone worse than Kavanaugh and in record time. Unless.........those three heroes appear. 

By all accounts, if three republican senators join ALL democratic ones, they can possibly delay the nomination. If that's before the election or before BLOTUS is out of office is uncertain. BLOTUS cannot appoint someone before leaving office. 

This is not hyperbole.........it will be the end of this country. Not as we know it - as that has long since passed, but as in forever. 

I fear for all the things that would pass in front of that court and the judgements that they render. Besides the fact any post-presidential case that hits their courts - no one is siding against BLOTUS. At least not the majority. 

I feel way lost and anxious over all of this. 

And truth be told - a little drunk. 

710 and I were in DC - coincidentally - when we got the news. We stayed a bit longer to go down to the Supreme Court yesterday. It was crowded and solemn.  We felt a little better being there, but not exactly hopeful. 

I hate that the Dems are turning this into a 'donate' option. That's not the focus now. Holding off a nominee is. Giving them money cannot - and will not- change any of that. 

I'm going to bed.

Song by: Bonnie Tyler

Driver's Seat

 Cats and Dogs. Cats and Dogs. Cats and Dogs. Cats and dogs. 

That's all you really need to know. 

I was cleaning my car inside and out. 

And look who took advantage. I had to clean again after his dusty prints were everywhere.  Worth it. 

She can't hide from me. 

Day on a bench swing overlooking the lake.  

Treat time. 

Bed Sophie. 

Shep looks good by a lake in a park. 

Song by: Sniff 'n the Tears

Golden

You know - why not? 

This is brilliant in its own way - kind of. 

Living statues of BLOTUS.  But not in a loving, kind, adoring way. 

No no.........

People might die of their pores being cut off by cold "paint", but they're going to thrive in their creativity and love of hating BLOTUS. 

I like the video below of him running over Covid victims with his golf cart. 

That all seems right on point. 

Song by: Fall Out Boy

Gotcha

Today is Shep's 4th Gotcha Day. 

It seems like we have had him a lot longer, yet it also seems like we just got him. You can read about his getting here. 

He's a great addition to the family - and he gets us out and about daily. We'd never have explored as many parks, dog parks and counties if we were not with us. 

We loved loved loved Petey, and while both hounds, we missed a lot of his formative years. 

I think we are all very happy that the "older" couple (who you know were probably younger than we were) couldn't made it work with him. 

And while it took us forever to name him, just last weekend I finally came up with the perfect name for him: Angelo.  Angelo Bassett. 

Song by: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

Lola

As I don't want to talk politics, climate change or fires, I will go with a semi / quasi / pseudo continuation of yesterday's post. 

I mentioned Lola Heatherton, and I got a follow-up comment by Uptonking (sorry - that's the only moniker I have for you.....we'll have to work on that).

SCTV and Catherine O'Hara brought Lola to life......well, I'm assuming with the inspiration of Lola Falana and Joey Heatherton. 

Lola Heatherton was 19,008,220,287 times better than both of them combined.  And that is not hyperbole. 

She was great on the Sammy Maudlin Show, or starring in her own special, Way to Go Woman, where she interviewed the most influential women of our time - including Mother Theresa and Charlene Tilton. And of course, she was Bobby Bittman's co-star in his dramatic remake of On the Waterfront, called On the Waterfront Again. 

My friend Jon and I have been quoting this movie for the last 35 years. Every line. Every nuance. Let's take a look, shall we? 

And yes, you have to sit through the Bobby Bittman interview first. Eugene Levy is totally worth it. 

Song by: the Kinks

Tripping the Light Fantastic

If this were a one-time ad, I'd just kind of laugh. 

But similar advertisements are appearing in Texas and Arizona towns (at the very least) as well. Alleged strong-holds of BLOTUS. 

Cincinnati is certainly the reddest of the large Ohio cities and even they are needing 'actors' to attend a frickin' BLOTUS rally. 

"Must be able to hold a sign, stand and cheer."

This is what we call a 'triple threat'.  

Kind of like Lola Heatherton....."she sings......she dances...and........she sings", or so says Sammy Maudlin. 

Clearly people of this caliber would have had to study under someone of the talent such as Lee Strasberg, Stella Adler......or perhaps even Pauley Shore or David Spade. 

Yes, make no mistake, I put Spade beneath the likes of Shore. 

Still, these 'actors' are pulling down more than the national minimum wage, though they do have to provide their own BLOTUS gear - which you know costs more than they can take home at the end of the play.  

It does surprise me that there are not enough idiots BLOTUS supporters out there who already have the costume, sans mask, who are willing to do this for free? 

I suppose they might be able to stand and cheer, but maybe not hold the sign? I'm guessing it might be like walking and chewing gum - near next to impossible. At least for these chumps. 

Honestly, I don't know what this says about BLOTUS level of support. Is it waning? Has it always been like this? Throes of desperations or just seat fillers? Future Covid victims?  If so, like $36 pre-tax doesn't even cover your first blood draw. 

This is a gig even Meryl Streep couldn't pull off. 

There has to be an easier way to make a living - maybe, Encino Man 2 ? 

Song by: BT

My Music Monday

Having new New Order is never truly a bad thing. 

I will always be the guy who purchases anything new that comes out. I'm no longer the guy who has to buy every remake, resissue, remix that is available. ...and there is a new take on "Blue Monday" on the way,  and a complete overhaul of Power Corruption & Lies, so we'll see if I stick to that.  (psssst - I probably won't.)

I have always been a fan of the band, and most likely always will.  ....even when they're bland. 

New Order has a new single: "Be a Rebel".   

Their website says this was to be released for their North American tour with the Pet Shop Boys. Clearly, that's not happening.  Thanks BLOTUS!

The song itself?  Meh.  It's not their best. It's not their worst. The guitar work and some of the keyboard stuff is eerily similar to songs off Technique. Again, not bad - but it's been done before it seems. 

The band wrote the song during the sessions for their last album, but didn't record it until this year - and did it remotely from each other, which is still kind of impressive. But for me it lacks Peter Hook's bass, but it's quite an airy song. 

While the music is a few years old, the lyrics are not. Bernard Sumner did those this last Spring, so "the world can be a dangerous place" can be shoehorned into this pandemic should one want. 

Honestly, I was more amazed that it has been five years since their last disk. Music Complete was released.  

Again, it's a fine song, but not top of their craft - but I'll take it any way I get it.   and yes, that's what she said. 

12 of 12

 So I'm doing my 125th 12 of 12.

Normally it is 12 pictures taken on the 12th of the month. Since I only post once per day, you get my images the following day. All pictures taken with my iPhone. Click images to enlarge, if you choose.

Created by Chad Darnell and picked up from, what I can tell, any number of random bloggers who then link back to him and vice versa. Chad is no longer doing this, nor is successor coordinating the linking of other 12 of 12'ers anymore. Now it's just myself - of which I know. 

4:02.  No. I didn't get out of bed (JP). I woke up for a bit - and went back to sleep.  

Kind of.  And yes - my clock is still 6 minutes fast. 

8:09.   Second walk of the morning. 

710 was a dear and did the 05:00. But Shep didn't poop on that one, so....off we went.

09:53.  Egg and cheese sammie. 

710 made me a good second b'fast. 

 

10:20. Cleaning the screen. 

Sometimes it's just so icky. It needs a good clean. 

11:36.  Roaming. 

Shep on his own in the back yard. But with supervision. 

12:29.  Two consecutive stations: same song. 

What are the odds? 

12:54.  If your dick is too small.......

14:13.  Nukes and a Great Lake. 

What could possibly go wrong?  But it was a great dog-dad outing.....

 14:38.  .....only to be marred by this. 

We left our 'hood for the hike and it was just BLOTUS/Pence signs everywhere. 

I don't think this guy liked his picture being taken, even as we drove by at 40 mph. 

And to totally stereotype, this is exactly what I think BLOTUS voters look like.

17:23.  Pick-Up. 

Dog walks are not all just enjoying the outdoors. 

18:48. Evening Medicated Nasal Spray. 

You didn't get to see the morning dose. Lucky you. 

21:37.  Cake. 

Almost the last of my b'day cake.  ...from a month ago. 

It was a large cake, and one of the best I've ever had (and I know from cakes!), so it was cut into pieces and put in the freezer.  Every once in a while we thaw a piece. Last night was such a night. 

.....and there you have it #125. 

Double Trouble

Tis Saturday. Tis Shep & Sophie day. 

Lounging Sophie. She's a looker. 

Post daycare lovin'.  Lovin' the lovin'. 

She busting in on a Huskie meet-up at Bow Wow Beach. 

On way to said Bow Wow Beach. 

The best thing about amazon.  Temporary housing. 

Double Trouble

The boy made the IG feed today. He's somebody!!!

Song by: the Cars

Diana

I had a post planned - well, in my head - for today, but things change. 

James Bond's only wife is dead. 

That's right, Diana Rigg died. 

And with her, a part of my childhood. 

For those who don't know, Rigg played the woman Bond married in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. It didn't end well for her. 

Actually, it didn't end well for George Lazenby, as it was his only take as Bond. That and Rigg hated him and ate garlic and onions between each take. 

I've never seen Game of Thrones, so I can't tell you how she was........or who she played. While I adored her, it was not enough to endure 117 years of that show. 

Me? I was a fan of the Avengers. 

Let me rephrase: I was a fan of the three ears which she was on the Avengers, playing Mrs. Emma Peel. 

That show was just slightly ahead of my time, but I caught it in reruns when I was still a lad. It was seemingly a farvourite of my mother, so it was something we'd watch together. We bonded over that, as much as one eight year old and his mother could.  I won't lie and say I got all (or any) of the nuance, but I thought Rigg was the bee's knees. 

I mean, I adored John Steed too (and loved love loved when Patrick Macnee played Sir Denis Eton-Hogg in This is Spinal Tap), but loved the chemistry those two had. 

Mrs. Peel was adorable yet tough and cunning and she the height of everything that two plus decades later, Austin Powers would base so many things around.  I loved her. Even at that young an age. 

Now, I'm not saying Diana Rigg turned me gay, I'm just saying, if you cannot be with and spend eternity Emma Peel, why even bother with other women? 

Song by: Paul Anka

Show Yourself

Why the actual fuck would one purposefully sit down with Bob Woodward? 

It's like Mike Wallace knocking on your door and letting him come over the threshold. 

But it comes down to one word: Ego. 

BLOTUS clearly thought he could control the narrative.  Clearly he could not. Honestly though, what good can come of it. And Woodward already trashed him once. Who thought this a good idea - let alone with a tape recorder. 

Truth be told, I haven't read much of this because....well...BLOTUS. In theory it's like xmas came early. 

I condone nothing here - nothing - but I almost get the February discussion about how bad Covid really would be and his claim of not telling that to the American people so not to incite panic.  Hey! I said "almost".  But it is one thing to withhold information, and one to blatantly lie about it....x 10,308. 

Yes, I get it's a thin line, but he steamrolled right over both of those. 

I do like the one of calling "his" generals "pussies".  A draft-dodger. One with a secret plan to eliminate ISIS in 30 days {which I am still waiting on}, due to the fact that he knows more than the generals. 

But Woodward's problem with Rage, his new books, where he has all these things BLOTUS has said on tape (!!), is the same problem he had with Fear, his last book on the same subject:  great bullet points, nothing happened because of it. 

I 'fear' (get it?  get it??) the same thing with this. 

Of course BLOTUS voters will think that the generals are pussies. They already think Mattis.  They already think it of Kelly. They seem to forget that BLOTUS picked the latter. They forget he selected the finest and fired them - and it all of those guys who were morons. 

There might be 0.005% of voters who might listen to the tapes and think, "nahhh, I'm not gonna vote for him". The rest?  They'll be unswayed.

It's a very sad, and very harsh reality. 

Song by: Tim Finn

Bad Day

I'm not necessarily one who abhors change. I am sure I don't feel rigid.  I'm also 91% sure other people would disagree with me on this. 

That's on them. 

I have one true pet peeve, and that's being late. For the most part, I don't mind if others are late (well, to a degree), but I hate being late. 

A former COO I worked with, who was military all the way, would say 'if you're on time, you're late'. I'm not sure I'm that bad, but I got his gist. 

So yesterday, I was hosting a 07:00 webinar, but it was still 06:25 and I was still at home. I still had to take out the garbage, etc. 

710 was a love when I asked him to do it. 

The problem arose when both "our" cars were out of the garage. Over the weekend, a skunk sprayed the outside of the garage and everything inside smelled, including his car. "My" car was a loaner from the dealer, as mine is actually being fixed. 

The loaner is just slightly bigger than my current one. It turns out - size does matter. 

With 710's car out, I had less maneuvering room - which pitted house against car. 

The house won. 

I know you think that white is the reverse light. It is / was not. It had red plastic all around it. Had. Past tense. What you don't see is the scrape on the car too.  Fuck me gently with a chainsaw, Heather. 

But.........I wasn't late. I was just cranky the rest of the day. 

This served me well to deal with people who needed, let's say to be dealt with a firmer hand. 

However, the joke was on me. Upon getting to the loaner in the parking garage, I had a ticket. The car was not displaying my hang tag from the rear view mirror, as I left it my actual car.  Mind you - there have been dozens of times over the last five years where that thing isn't hanging and not one ticket. 

Granted, I can appeal this, and no doubt "win", but it was just the cherry to the day. I actually did laugh. Sure, it was an evil henchman laugh, but a laugh nonetheless. 

Then after the dog walk, there was this. 

Honestly, I almost never drink during the week, but it seemed to call for it.  ....and I answered that call. 

I'll deal with the car dealer later this week. 

Song by: R.E.M.

Make Me Smile

These days, you know, it shouldn't take a lot to make me happy.  I have a good husband, dog and cat. I am employed and bring home the bacon - though not literally. We have a roof over our heads. I have some great friends, with whom I share laughs with often.....as long as we stay away from  

I think I still have family out there, though save for a cousin, I haven't really seen anyone in months. One of my sisters, twice and briefly. Oh and that drive through funeral. 

Maybe that's all one needs. 

....and this. 

When I originally saw this, I thought it was wind, and that Mother Nature and g-d were smiting this shell of a man by taking down that sign. Upon further viewing, I see it is a vehicle pulling it down. 

Either way, I'm ok with it. 

It made me happy. 

Song by: Chicago Transit Authority

My Music Monday

 

I'd say 9.8 times out of 10, that if a group or song was features on Glee, I kind of wrote them off, if not for good then for periods of time. Honestly, how can one show almost kill Fleetwood Mac's Rumours? 

At one point, the show covered the Neon Trees' two biggest songs (I'm not sure they could be called 'hits'), I just felt........annoyed.   ....and I don't even like Neon Trees that much. 

Naturally, I blame Leah Michele. I mean, who doesn't? 

But it's pushing a decade since that show, so I think I can move on with my life, I mean, considering the debacle we are in now. 

And a decade later, Neon Trees have a new disk out - maybe their first in 5-6 years? I can't say I follow the, but I did hear a song, "Holy Ghost", of that new disk. 

They don't stray too too far from their formula. The verse of one, the chorus with more. But it kind of works on this song. 

Sucker's Prayer

Does it even matter if BLOTUS called fallen soldiers "suckers" and "losers"?

First off - it not even beyond the realm of possibility or probability that he would have said this. This everyone knows. 

For fuck's sake during the 2016 RNC, he demeaned a gold star family and in turn, their dead soldier son. He treats his generals as nobodies who do not know a thing. I think the bigger surprise would be if he didn't say demeaning things about the military dead. 

Secondly - do we think anyone who is supporting this doofus is changing their mind over this, even if they don't spout the phrase "fake news"? 

Honestly, I see no need for debates. This is not an election of undecided voters. Who are the 14 people out there that are on the fence one way or the other about this guy? 

Well one - is Geraldo. 

Yes, THAT Geraldo. 

He and his 4th (?) wife live about two miles from us. Lucky lucky us. 

The above image is of the front of his driveway. WITH a Biden sign. When a friend told me of that, I didn't believe him so went to see for myself. 

So there is a sign. Two. The Biden / Harris one most certainly belonging to his wife. The second one, hand made - possibly by Geraldo himself..........saying he's undecided. 

As IF. 

First, he works for FOX. It's a well known fact that Roger Ailes' ghost votes for everyone who works there, so not voting for BLOTUS is not really an option. And even if he's not joking, a vote for Kanye is a vote for BLOTUS.   .......except for the fact that Kanye didn't get on the Ohio ballot. 

And FOX has another problem: they verified the story of the demeaning things BLOTUS said about dead and amputee military personnel. Doesn't that kind of put them in a tough position?  Either not report it at all, or report it and play down BLOTUS' comments, which puts on in a pickle with military folk; or berate BLOTUS - which I don't see happening. 

As always, the problem is: "unnamed sources".  

I am glad the Atlantic, Washington Post, New York Times and now FOX has all these stories verified. But where the fuck are the military leaders, currently in position right now who have said nothing on record?  Is it so important to keep your job that you give up the honour you of which you say the military proud?  You'd rather take it up the ass dry by a president who dodged his draft than to stand up for the now dead and future dead soldiers?  It's pathetic. 

So while, naturally, I believe he said all these things, it won't make an iota of difference to those who were going to vote for him in the first place. They don't even care about the lie of his lie. 

Yes, he claims in the 2018 visit to France for that cemetery visit that he allegedly called Melanoma back in DC..........................except for the fact that she actually was in France with him.  Yes, when he doubles down in his lies, he DOUBLES DOWN.   ......and no one cares. 

And this folks, is one of the reasons (if not THE one), why my anxiety runs high. 

Song by: the Decemberists 

Work

We are Sophie heavy today - or at least equal billing, which doesn't always happen.  Hooray for all you feline fanciers. 

710's co-worker. 

Her cube is a mess!

Shep all excited and waiting to take a ride. 

Peering. Always peering. 

Shep meets Pendelton

Tails a-waggain' 

Shep bugging me, because I was mad at him. 

He escaped the yard earlier, so I was punishing him by ignoring him. He did not like it. 

Workin' with Dad #1.  

Neither of them getting much done. 

Song by: Jimmy Eat World

Hangin' on the Telephone

It's come to this:  talking about work. 

That was my 'to-do' list from yesterday. I ticked off nine things completely and started a butt-load of others, but not necessarily near completion. 

Nine isn't bad. The day before, it was three. 

It's not that I'm non-productive, it's that I get pulled 851 different ways during the day, and that's if I don't have 4-8 meetings per day. I swear, some days we meet about meeting. It's exhausting. 

#1 on my list is my voicemail, and changing the message. 

Someone had to remind me that when I took this new job in June, I never changed my title, etc. Of course, anymore you listen to your voicemail via your email or computer. You don't actually have to dial into your voicemail account - which, it turns out, is a problem. 

In 19 months I haven't had to access it. But need to to record a new message, but I don't remember my password. 

So, call the HelpDesk, right? For a reset. 

You call in with your user ID, which brings up a host of info, but they still ask you for it anyways.  {sigh}

I tell them my issue, and the following is more or less the exchange:

IT: "we don't have that phone number in the system. It doesn't exist. 

Me: "well it does exist, I'm calling from it"

IT: "Sir, I'm telling you, there is no such number."

Me: "Since I know you can see my number on your incoming phone line, I know you can see my number, and it says 216.666.6666.  

IT: "maybe I can get your number by your name. What's your name". 

So at this point, I know they know my name, because they asked for my user ID.  And 'maybe they can pull up my number by my name'?  I'M CALLING YOU FROM THE NUMBER I ALREADY GAVE YOU!!!!!

But pissing off IT is always a bad move, yet one I cannot help. Or resist. 

Clearly, this check cannot help me. She'll have to pass it along to someone else. 

IT: "what number can they reach you at?"

Me: "this one!" 

IT: "is there a secondary number?"

Of course there is always my cell, but I refused to give that to them. Let them call my non-existent number to tell me it doesn't exist. That is now my goal. 

It's still on my 'to-do' list. 

Song by: Blondie

You've Got a Friend

 I am still in a mood. Sue me. 

710 and I were talking yesterday (well today, as I write this) on our after work Shep walk, about the whole PTSD of the last four years - and the totally unimaginable potential next four. 

We don't have a plan, but we feel we need one. For fuck sake, we can't even leave the country, as due to Covid the U.S. is travel banned everywhere. 

So - anyway, to lighten the mood, here is Edgar & Shya. 

You all might be seeing a fuck lot more of pet videos. 

Song by: Carole King

I Got Nothing

 I dunno. This is not a way to start out the month. 

I feel I have nothing. 

The thought of discussing something like Kenosha, with or without BLOTUS, is too much for my pea-sized brain.  My anxiety and depression start to spike when I see either mention. It possibly skyrockets when the two are combined. 

So, it seems safer for me to sit out a day. Instead, I'm gonna go to bed.  I have an early day moderating a webinar that starts at 06:45. 

Song by: the Bangles

An Olive Grove Facing the Sea

 I'm not dealing well with news and politics right now. I'm fragile.  ....and I'm trying to only drink on weekends, so.............yeah. 

So I can distract myself with doggie and kitty videos. The Dodo usually has good ones, but too many have the sad beginning story, which can make me anxious. These days, it's not difficult to make Blobby anxious. 

I found a series called Olive & Mabel: two labs in Scotland. The videos were conceived and made during lockdown. 

I only found out afterwards that everyone from Julianne Moore to Ryan Reynolds loves these two. And honestly, who wouldn't?  They are as cute as can be. 

You'll see I've selected Episode 4 - so you can assume there are at least three others, right?  Possibly more. I'll never tell. It'll be up to you how much you want to see them. 

Episode 4 - the Company Meeting - speaks to me, in this time of WebEx and Zoom meetings.

Song by: Snow Patrol

My Music Monday

 As much as I think I know about music, honestly I haven't even scraped the surface of what is out there. 

I know of Fleet Foxes, but I don't know their oeuvre, not really. 

I heard "Mykonos" on satellite radio. Once again, I assume 'alt nation' means it's newer and alternative. Usually it's neither of these things.  The song is 11+ years old. 

Go figure. 

But I like the vibe. Folkish with some alternative. There are parts later on that are extremely reminiscent of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. This is not a bad thing. 

Neutron Star Collision

I have to stop reading the news and my Facebook feed. It is DEPRESSING. 

I am passed the ability to figure out what is real, what is fear-based, or where on that venn diagram does it overlap. 

Mind you - those fear-based items comes from both the BLOTUS and Pappy Joe camps and followers. 

BLOTUS going on about he deserves a THIRD term because the first one was unfair to him. Yes, we call that dictatorship - but then, I've been calling that for about 2.5 years, if not longer. 

You've got BLOTUS insinuating that if not-reelected, we will see the greatest depression we've ever seen. 

DUDE! You might want to take a look at anything related to economics that isn't the stock market. You have already incurred the greatest debt and had the worst quarter in HISTORY. More people out of jobs and miles long lines for food banks.  But yeah - glad to hear amazon stock is up. 

Of course, 'depression' could mean lots of things, and as it is, I'm already depressed due to the last four years. 

I think that kid in Kenosha just showed us all what it will be like if BLOTUS loses. That is his base. That is his base's mentality. 

Now on top of it all, an asteroid named 11 ES 4 is headed towards earth* around election day. 

Honest to g-d, right now, I'm rooting for the asteroid. 

*121,000 km away (though the moon is 384,400 km away)

Song by: Muse