I Don't Want To

I haven't had a "I have nothing to post" post since May. 

This might be how I round out July.  Fuck. July is over. August starts tomorrow. How'd that happen??

I usually end the month with a Record of the Month segment, but I have nothing new to review. 

Yesterday (today, as I draft it), was the first time I actively tried to talk myself out of running. I'm sure I've had days where I'm all like, "ehhhh, I don't wanna", but I go anyways. 

This was more of a feeling I had back when I was in middle school not wanting to go to football practice (oh yes! me. one year only.  hated it!!!) or basketball practice (oh yes! me. one year only.  hated it!!!) or track (oh yes! me. one year only.  hated it!!!) or little league (oh yes! me. one year only.  hated it!!!).

It was weird to have the feeling of a knot in your stomach to make you not want to go creep back in so many years later. And no mother to try to convince not to take me. 

I had only myself to convince, and as it turns out, I wasn't horribly good at coming up with a good enough reason not to go. My mother probably would agree the same was true decades earlier. 

So I went. 

The first mile was horrible, but the first mile is always a lie. The rest were fine, if not sweat-inducing. And I made it back to my car - and home - before the rain actually hit. Too bad - running in the rain would have held some relief. 

As it would turn out, I'd end up grilling in the rain. Not the MGM musical you'd think it would be. 

Song by: Elvis Presley

Flash

On a whim I signed up for a race called the Guardian Mile, which happened this last Saturday evening. 

I thought my races for July were over, but clearly I have zero self control when it comes to signing up for more.

As you might be able to tell from the last half of the race name, it was for a mile. 

Singular. 

The first half of the name is taken from the Guardians of Traffic - four two sided carvings / statues that flank the Hope - Memorial Bridge (or the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge) at its beginning and end. 

Each Guardian holds a different conveyance of ground transportation. The former Cleveland Indians were renamed after the Guardians. As you might notice from the above image, if you head east on the bridge, it takes you to their stadium. 

That said, streetlight placement on the bridge ruins SO many image opportunities when trying to photograph said Guardians.   ......but I've gotten off track. 

I am by no means a sprinter. Like, at all. 

While I wouldn't necessarily consider myself a an endurance "athlete" either, I could stand to be identified as a distance runner. "Runner", maybe. But an only-mile run is nothing more than a sprint. 

I don't know why I signed up. Honestly.  .....though it was a decent shirt. 

Blobby did his research before registering. Of all the over 60 folks who ran the last three years (results on races are out there if you know where to look), easily would have me taking #1 in my age category. Even if I ran a normal pace. 

There are no age category awards in the Guardian Mile, just bragging rights. 

What Blobby didn't do was take into account last year's 55-59 year old guys who are now in the 60 year old bracket this year.  Drats. 

There were multiple runs:  middle schoolers; high schoolers; community run (me!); elites and strollers. There were about 330 in my group alone. Probs the same for the high school kids - who were all track and cross country folk. 

It was a beautiful evening. 

My goal was to not be embarrassed. That's it. 

It was a mile. It took 710 longer to find a parking space than it would be for me to run this thing.................hopefully. But my inter-mantra was: "I can do anything for a mile". 

The bridge was my nemesis at my first half marathon. It is uphill for the first half, and theoretically downhill the second half. But that "downhill" isn't as steep as the up, and you never gain the momentum you think should be coming your way. It broke me mentally in 2023. I expected it at the marathon this year, and on Saturday. 

Still, I ran my heart out. And my lungs. I could - knowing I wasn't going any farther. 

The winner overall?   03:57. 

My fucking half-mile time was 04:11.  

The winner was buffing his nails or something before I even got to the halfway point. 

They organizers had timers every quarter of a mile - just in case you didn't feel enough pressure. The headwind I wasn't expecting either. I had to remove my hat part way through, or lose it to the breeze. 

In distance racing, my fastest known mile has been 08:57.  This time, it was 08:16.  Respectable for me, but nothing earth shattering. 

Je did not come in 1st.  Or 2nd or 3rd.  I did come in 4th.   ....in my age group. Some guy finished in just over six minutes.  .....and I don't think he had a supped up motorized wheelchair or anything. 

Me? I would end up with coughing fits for 30 minutes on and off. Stupid asthma. 

Insult to injury?  No medal. 

I saw the images of the medals, but what they didn't say:  for racers 12 and under.  Well.............fuck. 

Yes, I'm totally petty. I'm about 91% sure I wouldn't have signed up knowing I wasn't getting a medal. Though like I said, the t-shirt is one of the better ones I've ever gotten. 

710 and Shep were waiting for me at the finish line. The latter was VERY excited to see dad #2.  ...and I him. It was a fun evening out for them. And me. Oddly, I still had fun. 

....but I'm not making a standard of running anything less than a 10k.  And my next one is in six days. And (hopefully) my only race in August. 

Song by: Queen

My Music Monday

I've become a fan of the band Milky Chance over the last few years. I'm guessing this is the fourth (?) video / song I've featured from them. 

"Naked and Alive" seems to be their newest. 

Granted, the German band has a semi-mush-mouthed singer, but I find his sound appealing while it takes me days or weeks, or longer, to decipher lyrics. 

I'm also guessing most don't share my affection for the group. I get that too. 

I'll take it that the song is about "being alone with yourself"............if you know what I mean. {wink}

"Tonight it’s just me myself and I / Naked and alive / Ain’t nobody else invited / I hate to say but I like it oh yeah I like it"

We've all been there. 

I don't have all the words figured out yet, but I'll get there. Eventually. 

Popular

Go figure. 

Sometime between bedtime this past Thursday and Friday morning Blobby's Blog hit its three millionth view. 

3,048,953 (!!!!!) as of me about to hit publish. Specifically.

I started this blog thing back in 2003 and it took me 14.5 years to hit one million views.

It would take another 5.5 years to hit two million - that was just sometime last year. 

To me, it's odd that it only took about 15 months to rack up the next million, but I see the numbers on a daily basis. Oddly, an Arrested Development post from 2013 has been getting mega-hits weekly for the past two months. I'm not quite sure as to why. 

I am not sure there is a conceivable way that bots don't play into this uptick in numbers, but I have no way of knowing for sure - or how much they might be involved.  But as Rihanna and Robin Givens will tell you - a hit is a hit. 

What?  Too much??  Yeah. Probably. 

Or just maybe, FINALLY, I'm trending somewhere. .....and it only took 21 years. 

Perhaps I should monetize this mother. 

Nah!

Song by: the Weeknd

Playing for Keeps

Blah Blah Blah - pet pictures. That's all you want. 

I spy. 

Annual vet visit for Mr. Shep.  It was the wrong day to wear navy. 

Bailey from a week or so ago. 

We played and played and played. I finally figured when she stopped returning it to me, she was tired. 

Shep with 710 at "work". 

Spa day

Sometimes he's just Ferdinand.  

It turns out he wasn't sniffing but eating grass. He'd puke it all up later in the walk. 

Song by: Elvis Presley

Dear John

I was thinking of not posting anything today - but 710 just had to tell me something about something called Skibidi Toilet. 

I think, once you get through this, you'll have wished I had opeted for 'nothing'. 

I have never ever heard of Skibidi Toilet. I might be one of the few. Apparently its Tik Tok and YouTube video(s) have racked up some 65 billion (with a B) views. 

So "popular" is it that Michael Bay is making a movie out of it. 

710 showed me a clip last night. 

It's safe to call me "boomer" when I say, "I do not get it".  I truly don't. And I truly don't think I want to. 

While clearly I don't get the appeal, I've searched my mind to figure out why others might. I could seriously not come up with even a partial idea as to why. 

Anyone - feel free to educate me. 

.....and I really don't expect anyone to watch all one hour and 17 minutes of the below.  But hey - you do you. 

Song by: Taylor Swift

Hopelessly Hoping

Well crap - it's 21:02 and I'm just thinking about blogging. 

Yikes. 

On our evening walk yesterday, we ran into folks from a few blocks over: Tish & Mark. We love them. They're fun and funny and just very easy going. 

This is unfortunate because Shep does not like Mark. He barks like a banshee (sometimes) when he sees him. Mark loves dogs but cannot have one as Tish is allergic - even to doodles. 

Sometimes our conversations on our walks are limited due to Mr. Barky Pants. 

We haven't seen them in a week or so, but as we approached each other Tish delicately asks (and I'm paraphrasing) "how's the news treating you these days?"  

We all knew what she meant. 

There was a pause and an awkward laugh, but then I said, "well, I've stepped back off the cliff. I'm feeling this (visualize two fingers barely apart) much more hopeful than I was a week ago."

Mark quips: "I'd vote for your dog before I voted for "BLOTUS"". 

Naturally, we had a fun back and forth over, "but Shep doesn't like you", to which he replied, "I know, and I'd still vote for him". 

But it's true. While I have successfully avoided ANY newspaper or news show, and maybe because of that, I do feel "this" much more optimistic. My sister - who is arguably more fatalistic than I - thinks there is no way VonShitzhisPanz can win. I do hope she is correct. 

There seems to be an energy now that did not exist with Pappy Joe's campaign. 

Let's hope it remains. 

Song by: Crosby, Stills & Nash

"Baking" with Blobby

Technically, this is "Baking" with Blobby via George.  

And technically, it's not baking. 

It's all prep - and some refrigerator time. That's it. 

I was down in Columbus this past weekend visiting my peeps and staying with Georty. 

The Geo part of this duo is a phenomenal cook - and baker. I won't try to oversell his skills mainly because I don't think I can do him justice. 

I ended up leaving there with three recipes I will try out and no doubt share here (well, assuming I'm successful at them). 

This is one of them - a dessert. 

A Lime Icebox Cake.

Except that it's lemon.  ....and maybe a pie. 

George made a lime version. I adapted a bit to make a lemon one. Oddly enough, so did he on the same day as I. 

I'll leave both fruits in the below instructions, though it's really just subbing citrus. 

Ingredients 

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 

1 cup heavy cream 

2 tablespoons sour cream 

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from 3-4 limes or 1-2 lemons).   There. That's the variation. 

5 ounces (about 1 1/4 sleeves) Ritz crackers 

2 teaspoons finely grated lime/lemon zest

Instructions

Add condensed milk, heavy cream, and sour cream to a mixing bowl. 

Add the lime juice and whisk until the mixture is smooth and thick, about 1 minute. You can do this with a regular hand mixer or your hand and a whisk. I just used the stand mixer. 

Use a 1/2 cup measuring cup to add filling to the bottom of an 8-inch cake or pie pan (you could also make individual servings using ramekins or even martini glasses) and spread evenly to cover the bottom.

I read the above wrong initially. So you only see 1/4 of a cup of filling at the bottom. 

Top with a single layer of Ritz crackers. 

Repeat, alternating layers of filling and crackers, ending with a final layer of the remaining filling; you should have 3 layers of crackers and 4 layers of filling. 

I accidentally rectified the amount of filling on the layers only because 1/4 cup wouldn't cover it, so I added more (or the actual correct amount). And I still had filling left over - more than even if used a the 1/2 cup on the bottom layer. 

Also - I used one drop of yellow food colouring to make the filling look like lemon and not wallpaper paste. the bottom layer (above) was without the colouring. Everything below is with. 

Sprinkle the top with lime zest. 

Loosely cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Serve chilled. 

The pie will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. If frozen, let thaw for 10 minutes at room temperature before serving.

The Ritz obviously soften, and they don't end up tasting like Ritz. It also adds a very very very slight salt taste. 

This turned out well.  I liked it, 710 liked it. Personally, I don't think it had as much citrus flavour as George's lime, but it was nice. Should I do lemon again, I would probably add a little more fresh lemon juice. 

They say prep time is 10 minutes. I don't know about that, but it's not much more. They say it sets up in two hours, our sat overnight. It also freezes should you want to do it well ahead of time for a party. Just let it thaw before serving, should it come out of the freezer. 

I'd like to try it with orange sometime. 

Change

I have zero words of wisdom here. Nor of hope. 

That said, I don't have any words of doom either.  

I was fearful that Pappy Joe would stay in the race. I was equally fearful he'd pull out......unlike BLOTUS' dad did. 

Joe should have dropped out two years ago, leaving the party time to groom a successor. 3+ months is a fuck of a short time to do the same. 

And no, Harris would not necessarily been the successor two years ago. She is by default now because, well........tick tick tick......

The timing, or lack thereof, leads to very little wiggle room for anything. Hence my fear. 

Now, maybe - just maybe - the DNC has been planning for this scenario for a long time, but historically and overall, they're not really long-term strategists. 

Harris seems to have been sidelined for years. At least BLOTUS had Pence at every single bill and executive order signing. I don't know she's been road tested for the big job. To be fair to her - no other dem has been either. 

I'm thinking Pappy Joe (well, the DNC) waited to announce this until after the RNC convention. The latter has now wasted a semi-full televised week bashing someone who is now no longer running. They didn't have a chance to show their misogyny and racism (well....more than usual - and targeted) on national tv. 

This wasn't quite a surprise. I got an email from the DNC store to buy stuff. On a whim, I clicked on it. There were ZERO items in the entire store that had either Biden's or Harris' name on them. Not one. Just generic:  "Vote Blue" bullshit. 

Either they didn't trust he'd drop out and try to disassociate the name, or they knew. 

Harris has a very unique opportunity in front of her - and I hope to fuck the DNC understands the assignment.  She has to be a pitbull. 

First off, BLOTUS challenged Pappy Joe to cognitive testing. Harris should demand the same. Watch the pussy dance around that one. 

But she should take no prisoners. This is not politics as usual. Joe was never firm enough about deceit, convictions, charges, ties to Russia. Harris was a prosecutor, let's put that background to good use. She can really speak to his trail of crimes. 

None of that action will get a BLOTUS-er to change their vote, but maybe enough to get someone out to vote for her, who wasn't planning on voting at all. 

Joe also has a very unique opportunity in front of him. A few, actually. 

Thanks to BLOTUS' / SCOTUS ruling on presidential immunity, there are any number of things Joe could do "legally" that would have been frowned on before. They'd still be frowned on, but immunity to presidents is like religion in schools - you only really want it for one. 

Joe could resign, effectively making Kamala president. The first female president. The first female person of colour president. He would be making history. Not a bad note on which to go out. Yes it reeks of a VEEP storyline, but what the fuck - it could boost a lot of things. 

That all said, at least now there is true energy around this campaign. Positive energy at that. 

I had no intention of watching the DNC convention, now I kind of have to. I had no intention of watching a presidential debate - now I kind of have to - assuming there will be another. 

It will be great if she thanks BLOTUS for this just 13 years ago. 

VP picks and jockeying will be interesting. 

I hate to say it, but Petey B cannot be the selection. As the top of the ticket is already female and black, the proverbial targets are in the opposition's sites, and the dem voters - let's be honest. Add gay to that, and you'll have enough people wringing their hands. Ditto with a two-woman ticket. This country just isn't ready for either combo. May as well add another person of colour too. 

There is chatter about Mark Kelley - which would bring an actual astronaut into the race. And it would bring gun control up a few rungs, as his was is Gabby Giffords. Gavin Newsome's name has popped up too. This could bee interesting. 

Now about BLOTUS: the media has been obsessed about Biden's cognitive state. BLOTUS has had many many gaffes and moments. Will the media be as focused on those now?  (pssssst - they will not. they're afraid of having access cut off from the most narcicisstic man in the land. and the media is filled with hypocrites.)

Of course, I'll vote for Harris. What is the option?

I just need to see the VP selection before we order any yard signs. Or whether I just create a BLOTUS / HITLER sign of my own and point out who is top of the ticket. 

Song by: Tears for Fears

My Music Monday

Yeah - I know there are political issues to be addressed here, but A) it's too new to sift through just yet B) I don't wanna  C) this will all still be here tomorrow  D) it's Monday. 

Let's just stick with tradition and go with music. 

Orville Peck has a new disk out - or coming out soon.

He also has a new "single" from it that has been out for a month. It's a duet with Kylie Minogue and has the Diplo the DJ.

Yeah, I'm gay, and I am familiar with some Minogue songs - nothing by heart - but I understand her place in homo culture. His too, though Peck is still making his mark. 

"Midnight Ride" had the potential to be a great song. 

The tune itself is great. Peck's vocals are there in his Johnny Cash-esque way (along with a few other baritone legends).  But overall, the song fails to hit it's potential. 

1. Minogue.  She went from full(er) vocal ("Locomotion") to a more breathy delivery ("Can't Get You Out of My Head"). The problem with "Midnight Ride" is it's her breathiest vocal yet. Even in the mix it's just light.  Any lighter and it would be non-existent. 

2. The song shorts the listener on verses. While it is 3:31 in length, there ends up being a lot more talking than there needs to be and not enough singing or an additional verse to flesh it all out. 

I will agree than in the chorus when Peck and Kylie team up, it works better than letter her sing on her own. 

The structure of the singing parts is there, just not expertly executed. 

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 have, in the past, visited and purchased things from Penzey's Spices. I think the last thing was an very expensive thing of saffron for my mother to use in cooking, though I'm not sure she ever did. 

But g-d love Penzeys. 

They are trolling the fuck out Von ShitzhisPantz and the entire GOP. 

Above is one of their stores in Milwaukee. They are based in Wisconsin. Earlier, it said "Welcome Future Fake Electors :) ".

But it goes further than that too. 

And it goes deeper than that as well.

Penzeys Spices, a Wauwatosa-based spice company, spent $109,933 between Oct. 1 and Oct. 7 posting and reposting an ad that called Trump’s phone call with Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky a “mandatory open and shut case for the impeachment.” 

The advertisement also says the Republican Party has “turned its back on conservative values and has instead come to embrace the ‘textbook’ racism of white nationalism.” 

It's in their social media campaign.  And I kind of have to post the depths they go to in their beliefs:

Republicans say: Immigration = Crime (Racism) We say: Have free* really good Cumin (Tasty Food) 

$2 Taco Seasoning Tuesday on a Wednesday and a Thursday! 

All year we’ve been growing ever closer to the 11.5.24 election that will decide whether our democracy and our planet have a future. But it’s like everything that makes this election so crucial also makes most of us want to look away from it all the more. 

I get it. This election is dangerous. This election is scary. Who wouldn’t want to focus on almost anything else. But if democracy fails in America it fails everywhere. And if American doesn’t lead on the environment there really isn’t much hope for the future of the planet. 

So six months back we hit on First Taco Tuesdays! Elections take place on the first Tuesday of the month, but these days elections aren’t popular. You know what is popular? Tacos. Tacos is popular. Plus tacos happen on Tuesdays, just like elections. Win! Win! 

Since the first Tuesday in February we’ve been doing our best to fuse tacos and elections in hopes of having people’s excitement for tacos rub off on the coming election. Finally this month I think it’s starting to work. 

No coupons or codes are needed for the ending-Thursday 7.18.24 $8.69 Regular Taco, or $8.79 Bold Taco or Chicken Taco Seasonings for just $2 each. These are really tasty. Stock up and share with everyone you know because everyone loves tacos. You can find them here: https://www.penzeys.com/shop/spices/?categoryId=187 No coupons or codes are needed as well for a free Victory pin, free I Will Vote 11.5.24 Stickers, and just $4.95 shipping on orders under $40. Over $40 regular shipping is free. 

For your free-with-$5-purchase $7.79 really good Ground Cumin in our stores, just spend $5 and be ready to show this post on your phone. 

Online at penzeys.com, once you’ve reached $5 in spending, simply enter PEOPLE into the apply code box at checkout. No need to place the Ground Cumin into your basket, the PEOPLE code will do that for you and for free. It’s so easy. 

RNC Update. They were talking immigration and crime last night, in other words, what the rest of us would call racism. When Donald Trump got his start the whole notion that Mexicans were rapists and murderers and bringing tremendous disease into our nation actually swayed senior voters. Trump’s promise to build a great big beautiful wall from the Gulf to the Pacific and have Mexico pay for it seemed quite the thing. 

Back then for Republicans this was all fresh and honest and edgy. Now it seems it’s just one more box they must check to reach white rural voters. Everyone knows he’s not going to get Mexico to pay for the wall even if he made some effort to build the wall which everyone knows he won’t. And everyone knows border crossings are down under Biden, but Republicans seem to need to pretend they aren’t. 

It does seem Republicans are learning. They now know when they talk about their actual agenda they lose. They know when they talk about turning the clock even further back on women’s rights they lose. They know if they spend every night of the convention being honest about taking more rights from women they won’t win. So Immigration! Crime! Cheers! 

One of the bright spots for this election is just how much senior voters have turned away from the former president. Back then Mexicans were the danger to seniors, but he promised to keep seniors safe. A half-million needless American senior deaths later because of his failed Covid leadership and he’s not their guy anymore. They aren’t wrong. 

And you buying some spices now and again not only makes your life and the lives of those around you tastier, it also makes these posts possible. 

$2 Taco Seasoning! Free Revolution! Free $7.79 Ground Cumin, free Victory pin, and the free I Will Vote 11.5.24 stickers you need to share with those around you, plus just $4.95 shipping on small orders! Don’t miss out. Make sure to use your PEOPLE code for your free Cumin. Did I mention it’s really good Cumin? 

Thanks for cooking, thanks for caring, thanks for voting 11.5.24, 

Bill bill@penzeys.com

THIS is a commitment to democracy. It is a line in the sand to fucking BLOTUS-ers. 

No more McCormicks for me. No I HAVE to shop and Penszeys. 

It might be a bit more expensive, but they've earned it. 

Creep

A good picture week - and I didn't even use them all. I have some socked away for a rainy day. 

Peek-a-boo.  

U shouldn't be up there!

Shep's best Flying Nun. 

Bailey vocally telling me about her treat distribution system.

My sister makes her work for her treats - but she's smart and can empty those pretty quickly. 

Creep. 

Shep couldn't have cared less. But he's inconsistent on that. 

And he met a basset-husky mix up at the Chagrin River. 

They were very similar body types and tails. 

Really not supposed to be up there, but he always goes when I have corn. Weird. 

Song by: TLC

Running Blind

Cleveburgh is hosting the Pan-American Games this week. 

These are master athletes over the age of, I think, 35. This includes 24 medal contending events such as baseball, tennis, pickleball, archery, bowling, curling (yes, in summer!), various running races and yes, cycling. 

There are other things too. 

Walking Shep, we stumbled upon the cycling. 

A few weeks back, I was asked if I'd be interested in being a guide for a visually impaired runner who wanted to do the 10k.  Oddly, I wanted to do it. I smart enough to ask their goal and pace. No reason for me do it if I couldn't keep up with them. 

Her (yes, a she) pace was fine for me. Slow for me even, but hey - when would I have the chance to run in the Pan-Am games again?  Yeah, I was supposed to see my friends this weekend, but I figured I'd blow them off reschedule.

The intermediary said they'd send her an email saying we had someone. I started to panic as I found out it was a "reduced" fee of $125.  For a fucking 6 mile run. I was assured, as a guide, the fee was waived. 

As it would turn out, neither I or the set-up guy heard back from her. Then it got me thinking: he sent her an email. She's site impaired. How does she know she got an email??

Yes, I'm well aware of programs that tell you and will read them - but just asking the questions was the joke. And it sounds better than I got passed over by Helen Keller. 

I will not be running on Sunday. I will be - but not with the Pan-Am games. 

Song by: Godsmack

Star Spangled Banner

As you know, I try to stay away from news. But the number of headlines or blurbs on some chick singing the National Anthem during the MLB All Star Game (well, not even the game, but the Home Run Derby, which I didn't even know the song was sung there). 

I had to click. 

I. Had. To. 

Mostly because the headlines said: "checked into rehab afterwards", since the performance was so bad. 

I have to say, it's one of the few times the papers undersold it.  

I BEG you to listen. 

"Bad" doesn't begin to touch it. 

And I have zero idea who Ingrid Andress is/was, but let's chalk her up to an almost no one as she was singing at the Home Run Derby - not the main game. 

Now "everyone" (read: still almost no one) knows who she is/was. 

Honestly, there isn't enough alcohol in the world to make someone sound that bad. I'm betting the booze actually made her better. 

Personally, I don't think she could probably ever sing. She was a songwriter who roped her way into two albums (allegedly) that no one has ever heard of.  

The ballpark also didn't have auto-tune, a device I'm super sure she's used in the studio. I say that without ever hearing a note she's done outside of the video above........and there she used ALL the notes.....and then some. 

I know people think of auto-tune as the thing that makes a singer's voice have computer tones - and used the wrong way, and you end up sounding like everything on Madonna's last horrible album, or anything by Britney Spears.  More often the tool is just for tweaking the vocals to make them...ta da.....in tune. 

Dollars to doughnuts, this chick uses is a LOT. 

She should be checking into vocal coaches and not rehab. 

From a PR perspective, this is gold. Andress' agent and manager now know a number of people have heard of her. Yeah, they can milk the moment, but that's only gonna last 2-3 weeks......tops. 

This video also proves to me that as American's we will cheer anything pseudo-patriotic no matter how bad.  Idiots. 

Song by: Ingrid Andress

Hypocrite

I almost postponed the Baking entry yesterday to comment on Von ShitzhisPantz' VP selection.......but I couldn't muster up the energy or mental capacity to deal with it all. 

J.D. Fucking Vance. 

Deep down, I knew it'd be him. 

He's new(ish) to the GOP. He is clearly power-hungry. Or at the very least has massive need to be liked by someone. anyone. 

Save having a wife with the name Usha Chilukuri and with her parents being immigrants, he hasn't been in the political game long enough to have SO many dings against him. 

Still, his new would-be boss is a xenophobe, as are his followers. If Usha is good with being demeaned due to her race, I suppose that is up to her. She is already being demeaned by her gender. 

Clearly, if she doesn't care about either, she is not an equal in her marriage. Or is just self-loathing. Or an opportunist. Or all of the above. Since she's married to J.D. Fucking Vance, self-loathing is the starting block. 

Of course, that self-loathing would be for so many reasons.  Being married to a voracious hypocrite would be the main one. 

The title image contains direct quotes from JDFV.  Better yet, it is Fox Fucking "News" broadcasting them. 

But JDVF puckered up and slid his tongue up Von ShitzhisPantz' Depends covered anus. And lapped at the drippings greedily when he opted to run for Ohio's open senate seat. You know BLOTUS loved that. 

Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely. 

JDFV, at least for politics sake, has blamed the border wall, or lack thereof, for his mother's addiction to drugs. While I know addiction is a disease, for his aspirational purposes, his mother isn't a factor or issue into her problem. I didn't read his Hillbilly Elegy, but I bet she does somewhat in there. 

However, now that Von ShitzhisVance is tied to Von ShitzhisPantz, somehow all those would-be voters will overlook being called "idiots", mostly because they are idiots - and most idiots don't really retain things. Because they're idiots. 

And speaking of..............

Honestly, if this piece-of-shit guy thinks you're awful..........well.............wow. 

Song by: Cage the Elephant

Baking with Blobby

As forewarned, 12 of 12 also gave me a Baking post. 

The running group does a few breakfast picnics per year it seems. Yesterday was one of them. 

As I have only been with the group for 7-8 months, this was my second. Maybe it's me, but I felt making something (the first time) was what was supposed to happen. I think most everyone went to their grocery store and purchased whatever they brought. 

This time, I could have easily done that as well. but no..........I'm the gay in the group.* At least, I think I'm the only one. So no, I went through the baking process again. 

Last time I did the cranberry-orange loaf. This time I opted for blueberry-lemon muffins. Mini-muffins to be specific. With the previous outing, I brought home a lot of cranberry bread (which was great because I really like it), but 710 mentioned maybe more finger-food kind of things. He was thinking full-sized muffins - I downsized it to minis. 

Ingredients 

3/4 cups (219g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled) 

1 teaspoon baking soda 

1 teaspoon baking powder 

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 Tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature 

3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar 

1 Tablespoon lemon zest 

2 large eggs, at room temperature 

1/2 cup (120g) plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, at room temperature

1 and 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 

3 Tablespoons (45ml) milk

3 Tablespoons (45ml) fresh lemon juice 

1 and 1/2 cups (210g) fresh or frozen blueberries (thaw first if using frozen)

Crumb Topping

1/3 cup (41g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled) 

2 Tablespoons (25g) packed light or dark brown sugar 

1 teaspoon lemon zest 

2 Tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). 

Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or line with cupcake liners. Set aside. 

Make the muffins: 

Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside. 

In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. 

Add the lemon zest and beat on medium speed for 1 minute. 

Add the eggs, yogurt, and vanilla, and beat for 1 minute, then turn up to high speed until the mixture is combined and mostly creamy. (It’s ok if it appears somewhat curdled - and it did.) Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. 

With the mixer running on low speed, add the dry ingredients, milk, and lemon juice into the wet ingredients and beat until no flour pockets remain. 

Gently fold in the blueberries. Avoid over-mixing. Batter is thick and fluffy. 

Spoon the batter into prepared muffin cups, filling them all the way to the top. 

Make the crumb topping: In a small bowl, use a fork to mix all of the crumb topping ingredients together.

Spoon topping evenly on top of each filled muffin cup, gently pressing it down onto the surface so it sticks. 

Bake for 5 minutes at 425°F, then, keeping the muffins in the oven, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (177°C). Bake for an additional 18–19 (12-14 for mini muffins) minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The total time these muffins take in the oven is about 23–24 minutes, give or take. 

Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin pan, then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling. Enjoy warm, or at room temperature. Muffins stay fresh covered at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

They turned out good, though I probably went over the directed time for baking....and I was a little short on the sour cream. Still, 710 seemed to approve when he got the first tasting. 

I took 20 of the 36 to the pic-a-nic. As I ran 2-3 miles longer than anyone else, I got there later too, so put out my food after many people already sampled other things. Most of the other things were just bagels. 

Someone did bring blueberry turnovers, and I'm assuming they made those, but only one other person brought something homemade. 

As I drafted this for publishing before the FAILED assassination attempt and had to delay it's posting date, there is an asterisk. 

* I might not be the only gay man in the group. Someone named Mark I've seen once showed up at the picnic. Diamond stud in his ear. Slight lilt to his voice - and fucking homemade strawberry muffins with "real strawberries inside".   

How did I know this?  Because he had a small folded index card with that information written on it which he placed in front of his container.    The diamond and lilt could be or mean anything.........but the food note from a guy:  GAY. 

I mean, even I didn't do that. But you know.........I'm butch. 

My Music Monday

I'm just winging it this month - but that's true on most fronts lately. 

Yesterday, 710 and I heard this song, "Common Blue" by the all female band, Warpaint for the first time. 

I like it. I liked it more yesterday when we were in the car. I find music to sometimes be situational - and never discount a sound system that is better than my laptop speakers. 

If Wikipedia is to be believed, they've been around for 20 years!

I can't quite describe them - at least from this one song. A little ethereal. A little Cocteau Twins. Stronger than a Billie Eilish (but really, who isn't?).  Alternative meets soft rock with just a splash of Bossa Nova? Again, this song, not the band - because I have sampled nothing else from them. 

But I think they're worth a listen. 

Shoot

I'm don't even a little bit bad for saying this:

I'm sorry the shooter didn't get - REALLY get - Von ShitzhisPantz. 

I actually felt palpable disappointment that they didn't. I'm assuming it's a he, but I don't know their pronouns. 

My immediate thought - and I do immediate - was that it was a set up to garner him sympathy and votes. 

I am THAT cynical. 

Yeah, they took out a spectator, but losing one vote to gain a few thousand?  It's called collateral damage.

And yeah - I don't feel bad about the spectator's death. If not a set-up, then it's still one less vote for this human piece of shit. 

But a highly trained marksman could nip the target for affect and no real injuries to get the desired effect.

As I'm just headline reading, allegedly the shooter is dead. But you know, kill the guy with the information and he is very expendable. 

Still that cynical, I am. 

While Richard Simmons did indeed die yesterday, there is no proof that he was the shooter or spectator. The jury is still out on Dr. Ruth. 

But BLOTUS can now "bounce back" from a shooting and show his strength and resilience, whether it was a set-up or not.  Fuck. 

Song by: Sonic Youth

12 of 12

So I'm doing my 171st 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. 

06:01. the new a.m. alarm.  

Simon making his way to the open window through the closed blinds.

06:18. Microwaved mush. 

06:47. Shep morning walk. 1.2 miles

07:15. As seen on my morning 5 mile run. 

07:32. 3 down. 2 to go. 

08:11. Change of shirt. In the gym for strength training. 

Pretty 'fly' for a white guy. 

16:14. Kitchen work.  

A baking segment might be coming your way. 

16:55. Kitchen clean-up. 

17:30.  Shep dinner time. Outdoors as usual. 

18:32. Georgia!!!

Haven't seen her for a while, but did on our evening walk. It's kind of like having my Saturday pet post. 

18:44. Enjoying the backyard. 

Sitting with 710 having a drink.  Water. 

19:22.  Cole Slaw. 

The secret ingredient is cayenne pepper. But it was a decent side for grilling out. 

That's it folks. At least for this month's 12.