My Music Monday

I had a few thoughts for today, but as it turns our, time ran out for a Record of the Month, as I had yet to purchase any music this month. 

The only thing that semi-spoke to me is Tears for Fears' new disk, the Tipping Point, but that just came out three days ago. Hardly enough time for me to marinate on it. I mean, I haven't actually even bought it yet. 

It's their first album since Everybody Loves a Happy Ending in 2004. I've only heard two songs so far, but they're good. So far the band doesn't stray too far out of their comfort zone. 

In the below title track, there was some elements of their first disk in '82, the Hurting........inarguably my favouite disk of theirs. 

Roland Orzabal now looks like Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics, but even with wilder hair. I'd say Curt Smith looks old, but I think he's my age, so I'll just shut my pie hole on that one. 

I like the song enough, but I'm not sure if it's because it is new or pseudo-nostalgia. I'll take it either way. 

Love is a Battlefield

Semi-full disclosure.  I might be part Russian. I just don't identify that way. 

Ancestory had me designated as "European Jew". It seemed a fairly broad swath, if you axe me. 

The tale was the family is / was from Bavaria, and that might be true......on my dad's mother's side. But his father's father's father?  It is probable that there is more Polish and Russian lineage. 

Pick a country - in any instance, it didn't end well for the Jews. 

So, I'd rather identify as cis-vague Europe than cis-Russian.  ....even if it's a small percentage of who I might be. 

While I still actively try to avoid as much news as possible, it would be foolish to think one doesn't take note of Russia invading Ukraine. 

I'd ask: how does this even happen?  ....but that's fairly clear:  everyone talks about it about to happen; no one actually does anything.  Oh - except the ever ineffective "sanctions". 

In olden days, countries invaded other countries. At best they had Paul Revere or the telegraph. Very few, if anyone, knew it was about to happen. Sure, allegedly FDR knew that Pearl Harbor was gonna happen, and if true, well he was just a dick warmonger. New Deal, my ass. 

But in these times, it was talked about for weeks, maybe months. Hell, you and I can probably watch troop advance via Gooooooogle Earth.  But with 24/7 news coverage, we all saw it coming. 

I believe, even with Russian troops at the border, Putin claimed there were no plans for invasion. 

Huh? 

Guess just a bunch of troops were out to get their 10,000 steps in - oh, and Putin is highly reliable in terms of sincerity, honesty and ethics. 

I won't play stupid here - I AM stupid here!!  What is the end-game?  Is the idea to take over more land and expand the country? And even if so - why?  Is it to show he has a slightly bigger than average sized penis..........metaphorically speaking. The 'show' part, not the 'penis' part. 

I totally get that I don't understand the evil guy in his lair, headquartered out in hollowed-out volcano. But I really don't understand the ego for need to be president either - because, for the most part even that isn't public service. But ego to invade and kill ?   That is truly beyond my comprehension. 

This doesn't even seem to be military to military-related. I'm seeing pictures of cities bombed, buildings in ruin. 

I'm a fatalist by nature, so that if this turned into WWIII, it would not surprise me in the slightest. But again, to what end? 

I'm guessing there is irony - and actual logic - somewhere here? 

The GOP are the ones that are usually the US war-mongering faction. Butttttttt.............in the last 6-7 years, they also seem to be the tongue-up-the-ass Russian / Putin loving faction. They are really stuck between a rock and an anilingus situation right now. 

Except that they're not. 

They'll put this all on Biden.  If he strikes and sends Russian troops scurrying, it will be how badly we treated Russia.  If he strikes and loses, well.............then he's weak.  If he does nothing........he's weaker.  This is lose-lose-lose for Pappy Joe.  And it's exactly for all the GOP could hope. 

I'm cynical enough to believe this was all set up by GOP/Putin to fuck with the mid-terms and the 2024 election. The timing is perfect for both. And honestly, if true, they're doing a tremendous job. 

Maybe I'm wrong from earlier. Maybe I do get it after all. 

Song by: Pat Benatar

All Star

It's been a tres challenging week at work, and actually, the next month is going to be deadline after deadline. Big ones.  But I love coming home to the dog and cat................and 710.  Some seem more excited to see me than others.  I'll leave it up to you in how you do those rankings and if you're correct. 

Cleveland had the NBA All-Star game last weekend........if you're into that kind of thing. 

Shep and I were not. But we took the photo op anyways. 

We had a carpet sample sent our way. 

.......Sophie claimed it as her own.  We are getting the pattern in that sample you cannot see, but in a different colour. 

Bailey - post grooming. 

He's a weird dude.

She on the other hand........is an angel. 

I'll give him this. at least he found the dry space. 

You just never know with him. 

I do love when my princess holds my hand. 

 

Song by: Smash Mouth

Fuck You

 Hey fucking Florida

GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAYGAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAYGAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAYGAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAYGAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY GAY

FUCK YOU !!!!!!!

Song by: Dr. Dre

the Sun Always Shines on TV

A few days back, the NASA Solar Orbiter captured the largest solar prominence eruption ever recorded. 

This is not to be confused with a solar flare.  DUH!

Ok. I didn't know either.

A prominence is a bright, relatively dense, and relatively cool arched cloud of ionized gas in the chromosphere and corona of the Sun. .

A solar flare is a sudden, brief (typically lasting only a few minutes), and explosive release of solar magnetic energy that heats and accelerates the gas in the Sun's atmosphere 

Still, some guys take note when someone utters a phrase that includes "the largest". 

While not directed towards earth, the eruption covered millions of kilometers (ugh - metrics.....again!) in space........which in some weird ratio is kind of like the Earth equivalent of between Lexington and Louisville.  That is me making that analogy, not Neil deGrasse Tyson. 

The Full Sun Imager captured this event, which is was sent into space to do. Flirt with the sun and pass by it - the closest it will come will be on March 26th. 

I'm looking forward to what it sees and how it will work, being so close to a big ball of gas. Kind of like me after Taco Bell. 

Song by: a-ha

Ad of the Month

It's only 0:13 in length, but that less than quarter of a minute takes you back 36 years. 

Yes. I did the look-up, and then the math.  .....and then I did it again.

 

Yes, it takes me back - to the Columbus Eagle, I'm assuming. Maybe Bananas or 1470.  

Honestly, if I'm going back 36 years, Stacey Q is not going to be my go-to soundtrack. But then, Burger King is not going to be my food of choice either.  I guess they couldn't afford Pebbles. 

Not all time travel is wanted or welcome.  ....just saying. 

App of the Month

You know, last month, I featured the similarly titled Wordle, as my App of the Month.

Being the influencer that I clearly am, after that got posted, the game took off - so much so, that the New York Times bought it and now everyone is posting their scores on social media so they can show they're smarter than other people on social media. 

The bar is low. 

Of course, with the success I helped build with Wordle, all the imitations soon came afterwards:  Lewdle (dirty words), Quardle (don't ask...as I don't understand this one); etc. 

Morty pointed our little group to Worldle - which combines the limitations of Wordle's six attempts with guessing a country or region in the world with the fun of my Site of the Month five years ago!

So far, I have only seen countries being played, not 'regions'. If the game sticks to this, there are only going to be 196 puzzles. 

Now, I can name the 196 countries and by continent. And I know mostly where each is located on each continent. What I am not 100% sure on - or even 86% sure on - is the shape of most countries (I dare you to say you know the shape of Moldova!).  .....but that is the clue the Worldle folks gives you. 

This is it. Probably not to scale (I'm guessing) and unless it's Italy or something easy - like Wordle, the first guess is just that, and hopefully and educated one. Like Wordle, you only get six attempts. 

Should you not get the country on first guess, it will tell you how far away it is by kilometers (metric! THANKS for nothing Jimmy Carter!), and the general direction with which you should be headed. 

I won't lie - I don't understand the percentages at all. 

I guessed this as 'a region'', as you know(?), Malaysia is kind of a string of land. I thought maybe Indonesia, but that string has more angles to it, and not quite as vertical.  Clearly I was off by almost 10,000 km and I needed to head northwest.  So......I did.  Kind of. 

Tunisia is somewhat shaped like this, as it sits at the top of Africa. I thought it a better guess. I guessed wrong. No to the north east by 3000 km, or so. 

At this point, I could only think of one of countries it could be. And it was a coin toss. Yeah, I know the two are next to each other, and I almost never remember which one is between Finland and the "other" one. 

I was going back and forth between Sweden and Norway, because I always forget which one is which in terms of left to right. I knew it was not Finland. 

I find the shapes are tough when not surrounded by other countries, but I suppose that is the point, no? 

So, before I go to work in the morning, and because I don't start my day early enough as it is, I now have to complete Wordle, get 'genius' on the NYT Spelling Bee and now finish off Worldle before I even shower in the morning. 

At the very least, I hope I'm staving off Alzheimer's by a few more weeks. 

My Music Monday

Today I am going with Duran Duran. 

I did one from the band last May, a song that was destined for a disk that was not released until November 2021.  ......and then again, reissued with additional material in February 2022. 

Personally, I hate that shit. Re-releases within a month or year of the original disk, forcing some to rebuy music to get the now newer stuff. Totally one of the reasons the recording industry and artists are losing to streaming services. 

I don't know if I love "Laughing Boy", but certainly do not dislike it at all. It probably won't ever hit their Greatest Hits II disk - assuming they ever get one. I mean if Jewel can have one with 16 (!!!!) songs (I dare you to name more than 2), I suppose anything is possible. 

Duran²  are nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall O'Fame this year. I'd say, they haven't been super ground-breaking, but then, Dolly Parton is up too - and unless we are counting her bluegrass cover of "Stairway to Heaven" - she hasn't done boo for even a nomination, let alone induction. 

At this rate, Corey Hart still has a good shot of getting in. 

the Beginning of the End

Oh no - another nothing post. 

Somehow the day got away from me. It was freezing, I did very little, and yet, I still didn't consider writing a post.  Perhaps that is some kind of blog sign. Or blog-ending sign 

I'm not closing down or anything. But it's crossed my mind a few times lately - how and when to end this thing. Or if.

I suppose the idea would be to do it on a meaningful day or milestone. 

If I wait till my 200th 12 of 12 or something, I still have to wait another 60 months!  I'm not sure I have that in me. Or end on my 20th start date. 

Or I could just end it like the last moments of the Soprano's. 

This week, the muses seem sparse. They've never been fans of mine. They just stop by for the beer and edibles. ....and chips, if we have any. Kind of like my friends. I perused the papers to see if there were any stories of note..........there were not. 

I could write about that skin sensitivity I get now and then. Today, at least as I write, is plaguing my front right quadrant of my outer skull. Touching head to pillow will be less than interesting.  It's sad that I have become used to this weird type of discomfort. 

Not for nothing, and it's been 25 year, but I can feel my eustachian tube getting fucked up. I'm assuming it is that, as I have not felt a similar type of pain in my life. It is one you don't forget. It is also on my right side. I don't think the each on the right is a coincidence.  

We will see. 

Man - we'll see about my health.  We'll see about the weather. We'll see about this blog. 

Again, calm down. I'm not going anywhere. I don't think.     ......but that could have what Tony was just about to tell Carmela while waiting for their daughter to park the car. 

Song by: Guster

Be Mine

Just another week, with pics of the kids. 

 I made 710 a Valentine's iMovie, starring these two.  I wasn't even in it. 

....still with the snow.  Good thing this dude likes it. 

That said, last Sunday, we overdid it and his paw started to hurt again. We've been more vigilant. 

.....but Sophie has stolen his bed.  

He is not amused. 

....and she does not care. 

Song by: R.E.M. 

Tomorrow

I got bunches of nothing. 

If this was a work blog, I'm sure I'd have bunches of crap to write. But it's not, and that's fine. I don't want to work all day and then come and have to write about. Nor do I want to back and read about it. 

I have a new book that arrived for my reading pleasure. I'm really trying to push myself to read for pleasure instead of just being a veg.  I'm also taking suggestions for books - no vampires. no zombies. no serial killer crap either. 

Also, while I didn't read the article on BLOTUS & kids - and not sure it will amount to a hill of beans - there is a glimmer of hope in me that the NY prosecutor will actually be able to depose those smug motherfuckers. 

Again, it's the small things. 

Tomorrow is pet day, so..........buck up. 

Song by: Rob Thomas

Batdance

I really have nothing today. But I did come across this yesterday.  

Actually, what I came across was a much more abbreviated clip of this clip. 

 

The shortened clip didn't mention it was a commercial for equal pay, just that Batgirl was demanding it, and Batman telling her it was not time for jokes. 

Honestly, that seemed more honest then a 1973 commercial for equal pay for women. More of a sign of the times.  But yay for Batman, Robin and Batgirl to reprise their roles 5-6 years after the series ended. And way to be that progressive, Bruce Wayne & Co. 

To be brutally honest, my first thought wasn't about 'equal pay'.  Commissioner Gordon's daughter (oops, spoiler alert) says she's paid less than Robin.  That thought?   Robin gets paid? 

I know Wayne is a millionaire and all, but I didn't know Dick Grayson had an I-9 and some W-2s.  Lord, I hope dental and medical came with his employ. 

 Song by: Prince

Fishing in the Dark

While I might have grown up in an affluent, super white village, but at least it was not Hudson. 

Hudson is not that far from where I grew up, and it was where a set of cousins resided as well. It was probably on par with where I was raised, though, if possible, was actually whiter. 

The other two things neither townships (not even full towns, not really) had:  ice fishing and prostitution. 

Just don't tell it to the mayor.  Sorry.  Former mayor. 

Yes, he draws a line - somehow - to how ice fishing will lead to prostitution. 

To be clear, he doesn't think if your'e the one doing the fishing, you'll become a whore.......just turn to them.  Or something.  I am unaware, but apparently, women of ill repute will hang around waiting for guys to.............wait for it...........take the bait. 

And he means what he says. And he says it with a straight face. And the guy next to him doesn't burst out laughing. 

What I love is: this story made national news. Not just an affluent white podunk town, 

By-the by.............I'm not 100% sure Hudson has any place to actually ice fish. And I don't think there are hotels, which means, you will have to use a 4 bed, 3.5 bath colonial in which to get down to bwass tacks, as Lili Von Shtupp might say. 

It did not take too long, but the mayor resigned.  ....also making national news. 

Hudson must be so proud. 

Song by: the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Dreaming

I haven't written about dreams in forever. 

I assume I still had them, but they weren't as terrifying or as "vibrant" as they had been in the past. I'm not sorry for that. I had years and years of restless sleep due to probable medication-induced dreams / psychosis. 

A changes in meds a few years back, put an end to those borderline nightmares, of which I could not escape. Though often I knew they were dreams, I could not manage my way free. I'd wake and go right back into them when I dozed back off.  IF I dozed back off. 

The last few days I've had two dreams of which I know. 

One was like what I just mentioned. Could not escape. It had to do with Petey - our former dog. And his liver which was to be harvested for a human transplant. While the transplant never happened - in real life or in dream - I let Petey languish alone, never checking on him. The entire sequence broke my heart - and mind. 

No doubt, this brings in Shep's recent injury. While he had been doing better, he regressed a little over the weekend. He's got four eyes on him now at all times. We shan't let down our guard this time. 

The second dream was just.......you know......a dream. 

It involved two friends, Marisa and David, a married couple. Ones I haven't seen for 20 years, but are pseudo-semi in touch with on Facebook. 

David was singing me this song called "Maryland". He did it three times. On the third, I pulled out my phone and recorded it. I think I remember some of the lines, so perhaps I should Gooooooogle it to see if it is a real song. I remember laughing while recording it. 

Marisa shows up with a few kittens and I ask how her dogs will get along with them. But we are interrupted by the needs to serve Thanksgiving meals, either to the homeless, or to college students who could not go home for the holiday. The line at their front door was long as one could see.  And while the house wasn't exactly like Xenophilius Lovegood's house, the surrounding land was. 

This dream? I have no idea what this is or from whence it came. 

It's true David & Marisa have dogs, and David teaches at a college, but that might be where all points of resemblance ends. 

That was my last two nights.  Let's see what this night's (or last, in this case) imagination holds in store for me........if anything. 

Song by: Blondie

My Music Monday

You don't know from Rockpile, I'm guessing.  But you might and just don't know it. 

Rockpile was comprised of Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Billy Bremner and Terry Williams. So the band on Lowe's and Edumunds' "solo" disks of the late 70s and early 80s were in fact Rockpile 

The band itself, had one release back in 1988 called Seconds of Pleasure, which is where today's selection, "Heart" is pulled. Bremner takes lead and for whatever reason the YouTube clip bills them as Billy Bremner & Rockpile. 

I thought "Heart" would be good for Valentine's Day.

This is a song that could have appeared on Lowe's solo disk, Pure Pop for Now People  (titled in the UK as: Jesus of Cool).  It's two and one half minutes of pure pop (bordering on rockabilly) that should have been a hit State-side but was not. 

12 of 12

 So I'm doing my 142nd 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. Erik is back and I think he's picking up 12 of 12 again. 

06:52.  Our bathroom toilet has a bidet attachment. 

Things light up when I walk in a darkened Whiz Palace. ...and the seat is heated. 

07:18.  Treacherous walk. 

Melting snow. Rain. Freezing. in a 12 hour period made for a very tense walk. Everything was slick ice over crunchy ice. The streets were just slick ice.  My back was so tense after our outing. 

09:42.  Second Breakfast

......and then I might have taken a "nap" until.......

12:17.  Lunch.  Nothing special. 

13:19.  Second walk. 

This stretch looked ok. The rest was so bad with ice. Should have turned around. Did not. 

Stressful and so tense, by end, my back was hurting. 

14:02.  Just a few items at the grocery. 

14:05.  Honestly, I was gone for 7 minutes and there was someone else in the car with him. 

He's a love sponge. 

14:33.  Where's MY guardrail ??

This house is at the top of a T at two streets. During a police chase, a car when right into their house. 

You can see the plywood still covering the hole - and their request in the form of a sign. 

16:06.  Lazy, dreary Saturday.  But Buddy Cole makes it all better. 

16:55.  Judgey McJudgerson

17:58.  Edible. 

When I do these, it's only on a Saturday. It's never an intense time. 

20:04.  Pizza and Arugula Salad. 

Too lazy to cook. And not just because of the edible. Maybe partially......

......another month down. 

Bury Your Head

Shep is doing pretty good - thanks for asking. He's rebounded much faster than expected, though we are taking it easy with him. He can put his weight fully on his paws and we stopped his pain meds. We are limiting how much we walk, which is not difficult with ice encrusted sidewalks. 

So there are some pics pre and post accident here in the mix.  ....and of course, Sophie.

Pretty girl. 

He's a weird little dude. 

Someone took his recovery bed, so Shep had to take the chair. 

Don't mess with Soph.  She'll cut you - I mean, if she had claws. 

Feeling better to watch squirrels, but not hunt them.  ......yet. 

Soph and Shep vying for Dad #1's attention. 

They both won. 

Song by: Saosin

Shopping with Blobby

Yet another installment in the drudgery that is everyday shopping. The camera-phone makes it a bit more fun - though I get looks whenever I take pics of products. Like I care what people think.

I was ever so proud of myself for a present I got 710 at the holidays. Unfortunately, due supply chain (well, I'm assuming) they came a week late. 

It lost the oomph of not being here during, but I still think it made a hit. 

I think I mentioned, we use quite often the air fryer I got a few years back on a whim. I didn't think we'd use it that much - and not one more surprised by use at the frequency it gets used. And I'm still surprised at what it can cook, and how well. 

My job is more cooking than cleaning, which is why 710 got the gift. I don't envy him having to clean that thing after some of the things I heat up. 

Which is why I got him:  air fryer parchment liners!  Like coffee filters but for your air fryer. 

Before:  the clean fryer of air. 

Still before:  parchment liner inserted. 

Semi-during: seasoned chicken in place. 

There are some slits on the side the air fryer to still allow said air to more around. 

Semi-during: chicken is cooked. Not browned, but that's not always the air fryer way. And anyway, I was using the cooked chicken in another dish after I'd dice it up. 

After:  the schmaltz left behind. 

I won't lie, it can be a little tricky to get this out with out having things leak. I mean, really it takes an extra 17 seconds. 

After After. 

That extra 17 seconds sure beats cleaning and drying. 

I think I bought 100 for $32 bucks.  What I really got was 'husband points'  - but you know those aren't really redeemable for a thing.