Ad of the Month

I guess it should be "Ad of the Every Now and Then".  I'm not great with the consistency on this one. Though it could be argued that the Madison Avenue guys are falling down on their job.

Let's start off with, I could not have told you if Gain was still a product, or if it had gone the way of Vanquish or Breeze.

The ad made me laugh, for nothing else that you don't really see jockstraps in ads of any kind.

It's not only amusing that the kids put a strap over dad's face, but it's more amusing to watch dad's sleep-state reaction.  It doesn't look like his first time of sniffing a jock...........clean or used.  And it looks like he's reliving some really good memories doing it.


dddd

Making Mirrors

Sunday we went on a triple date with friends to go see the newest exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art. 

Kusama.

Yayoi Kusama is an contemporary artist who was way ahead of her time. As you see her work, it evokes the likings of many other artists who came after her, as she originated it and others co-opted her work while she received zero credit - be it paintings, sculpture, performance art or installations.

Infinity Mirrors is a series of, well, mirrored rooms or mirrored spaces.  The rooms, for the most part are full sized boxes that hold 2-3 people at a time. Each exhibit is timed where you spend anywhere from 15-30 seconds in them.

There are other parts of the exhibit that are the paintings, sculptures and polk-a-dots - all culminating in a final interactive room called 'Obliteration".

The above image is from a portion where you just stick your head in. I found it very cool. And hot. All the lights made it very very very warm.

Most of the rooms were dark, a few were not. Some you could take pictures in, some you could not. One you weren't even allowed to take your camera in and a security guard came in with you.

We usually went in two at a time, and alternated who went with whom, so we go to spend a quality 30 seconds each with everyone

I'm in here with Chef Bob.

Here I am with 710.  

This was my third favourite room. Most everyone else said it was their fave. 

My favourite I'll show at another time, my second was the pumpkin room - the one with the hovering security guard. 

This room I'm there with Matt. 

....and then Obliteration Room. 

Everyone is given 5 dots to place anywhere in an all white room.  James and Matt were thoughtful as to how and where they placed them. They separated all their dots.   

I did not. 

Since I'm taller than your average bear, I placed them high - it will take a few weeks before anyone obscures my art with their shitty dot-work. 

It was a nice show. I liked the mirrored rooms a lot. The paintings and phallic sculptures were not my thing (I know, right!).   Kusama was forced, as a young child, to spy on her father's infidelities, which probably explains the penis-like and vagina-like sculptures.

The show has already been to NYC and DC, but if you have a chance, by all means, go see it.




Song by: Gotye

My Music Monday

Continuing, but almost done with, 10 formative albums - and here, a selection of.  Week 9:  Laurie Anderson with "Smoke Rings" from her film and album Home of the Brave.

Yes, it's 8 minutes long.  Deal with it.  I can't tell you how many times I saw this movie in the theater. I ended up dragging anyone / everyone I knew to it.  Mostly individually.  It never made the leap from VHS to DVD, or streaming.

Shame. I think you'd like it - even 32 years later.

This Boy

One would think that people would learn from other's mistakes - be it Bill Clinton, Harvey Weinstein, Roger Ailes,  Matt Lauer and so on and so on and so on.  ....and in Jim Jordan's case, Jerry Sandusky.

Granted the sexually predatory doctor from THE Ohio State University infractions came years ago. One one hand, Jim Jordan should have gotten out in front of it regarding his knowledge, especially in light of Sandusky & Co.

On the other hand, I'm thinking he was hedging his bets that it hadn't really come up before so maybe he had dodged a bullet and no one would be any the wiser.

He lost that bet.

About a half-dozen wrestlers have publicly stated that Jordan would have had to know - and at least one stating he told him directly - about the 'abuse'. 

Yes, I put it in quotes. Lingering showers and lingering hernia checks are creepy for sure - and completely inappropriate, but sexual abuse?   These are men who dress in singlets and roll around on the floor with other men until they pin one to the ground. 

I call that foreplay.

I don't really mean to dismiss what these guys went through. Straight guys {cough cough} are probably very traumatized by the notion that another dude is holding their nuts for 15 seconds.

Maybe more went on than that. I haven't read a lot about it to be honest  - not the details.

It's Jordan's strike backs that are just so typical in this BLOTUS environment: Blame the media and liberals trying to bring him down. Unfortunately, in this day and age, it's a tactic what is quite effective.

Jordan is an ass.....and a hack, but he's one who'll probably secure in his job and probable re-election.



........and yes, I doctored  (read: completely made up) the title image. Thank you, Break Your Own News Generator!




Song by: the Beatles

Madman Across the Water

Where last week we saw some Sophie, I'm sorry to say she makes not appearances today. It was a weird week - the holiday in the middle of a work week....I'm all screwed up on time.

It was so so hot too, we spent little time at home......on purpose. We hiked one day - in the highest shaded area possible. And through a creek.  The other day we went to Bow Wow Beach.  No swimming for humans, but dogs are ok.

Meandering in a stream

Shep is becoming more comfortable in the water. He's not swimming yet, but he splashes about, by himself and some new buddy dogs (not pictured)

Now and unexpected photo series. 

The idea was to get him to pose (ha!) so you could all see the beach. 

He has other ideas. 

Kerplunk!

It's the first time he's gone all in. I think he thinks it was dog-knee high and it wasn't. 

Shep panicked. I panicked. 710 tried not to. 

710 tried to get him to swim over a few feet to walk out, but he didn't. He struggled to climb out of the water, and he did. The entire 30 seconds felt like 30 minutes. 

Lesbians stood by cheering him on.  Later recounting the story to neighbors / friends, I said, "lesbians....there's nothing they can't do!", to which Dan quickly replied, "....except be President".

Song by: Elton John

the New Pollution

While Scott Pruitt doesn't quite have the Dr. Evil pinky-to-the-mouth move, I'll give him this - he has the actual evil part down.

Not unlike Dr. Evil - he's not the sharpest tool out there.  .....though he is a tool.

Now an unemployed one.....that is, until one of those big corp big-wigs who has been blowing him to let them pollute our air and water ways hires him at ten times the salary he was making as head of the EPA.

For what little time he was in office - I'm guessing he was in line to have the highest number of investigations.  And to be clear - HE was the one being investigating.  EIGHTEEN federal investigations (with a 19th on the horizon).  That's more than one per month - if you average his time at this temp job.

I don't even think Oswald got much of a look-see from the government

"However, the unrelenting attacks on me personally, my family, are unprecedented and have taken a sizable toll on all of us."

Boo-fucking-Hoo. 

The attacks were unrelenting because "you" kept inviting them with bad decision after bad decision. ....and that's just in day-to-day operations. It doesn't even include your Earth-raping policies you put forth for that aforementioned blowjob.

As for your family - perhaps you should not have used government contacts to attempt to secure your wife a $200k/yr job, or sought out a Chick-Fil-A "business opportunity" for her as well.

For me, there is a problem with Scott Pruitt leaving the EPA.  He's already caused irreversible environmental damage. A named replacement isn't about to change any of the policies he's enacted. The problem will be - the next guy / gay just has to be less stupid than their predecessor (well......I'm assuming!) and he / she won't raise as many flags while they hasten the end of our existence.

Don't get me wrong - I'm glad Pruitt is gone. I believe many are.




Song by: Beck

Hot Hot Hot

I try not do complain about the heat, because I complain about the cold.

My rationale is: you can bitch about one, but not the other. Should I stick to this - I'll moan about the frigid temps, as it takes a lot more to get me to warm up than cool down.

Ditto with sex.

Ok. That was a lie.

Still, Mother Nature has been testing me this last week with the temps in the 90s and low 100s. Mother Nature and Father Time, that is.

....and the big house with no central air.

In the past, we've skirted around getting it installed. My reasoning is:  we truly only need it for 12-20 days per year. That's a huge expense for two-three weeks. And then when it's not hot again, the thought goes right out of my walnut-sized brain.

This year might be different. Well, next year, actually. 710 is getting quotes. Alas, for a 118 year old house with no duct work, make for a pricey endeavor, as creative ways would be needed for retrofitting the house.

I say 'next year' because the HVAC guys all say it can't be done until Winter.

Yesterday's 4th parade and picnic were a scorcher. They are usually warm, but everyone was melting at 93 by noon.  We gathered to say hi to all those in the parade........and then we went home. We did not 'march'.   We went to the after picnic but that too was beyond hot.  It was possibly the least attended, and I'm assuming it was because of the climbing temps.

The picnic was still fun. I made a cucumber-tomato-red onion salad. It was a cool item and was gone within minutes....and I made a lot.

Allegedly we are to get a break in the weather in a few days. Hopefully we will.  And hopefully next summer we will have a/c.



Song by: the Cure

Fireworks

Could celebrating Independence Day 2018 be any more laughable?

As a country, we are in a place that is so anti-American it's beyond irony. It's a joke. But not a funny / ha-ha joke.

What people are passing off as patriotism is tragic. Not that I'm the most patriotic guy out there..........as I am clearly not. And I'm not one for sitting through (or staying up for) a fireworks display. I'm also not one to participate in such shenanigans by attending lest someone I think 'murica is great.

It is not. We are not.

I will go to our neighborhood picnic, but it is to see neighbors.........no one is passing it off as a celebration of county - just of Hebrew National hot dogs............and cupcakes.

Still, King George is more to the left and a lot less controlling than the current administration.

Now, that is irony.


Hope you all have the day off.




Song by: the Tragically Hip

Lazy

It's a "holiday" week.  I am in training for two days of this week, which in a way only makes it a two-day work week.

Still..........I'm being lazy in blog activities. I could write something profound - for the first time in 4935 posts (including this one), but then expectations would be set for other profound posts, and honestly, who has the time?

Today I've decide just to do not-so-random tweet and memes I've been snagging over the last few weeks that pretty much tell what you already know.  Not all are super-timely as I'm trying to stay away from social media.  Just overlook that.

(totally stolen from Bob)

Song by: Love & Rockets

My Music Monday

Week 8 of top 10 formative albums.  They're not only 10, but that was the deal, I had to select that many....and only that many.

The Cardigans kind of rank with one of them with their second to last disk (if they opt never to record again) Long Gone Before Daylight.

It's one of those albums that doesn't have a bad track - my opinion, of course. Finding A selection was tricky. Some I've done in the past, some didn't fit the mood, but you get what you get....and it's "For What It's Worth".

You're History

I suppose there is a slight downside of being off Facebook and looking at limited news.

Blobby had no idea there was a march - or 700 of them - regarding immigration and separation.  Had I known, I would have braved the 95 degree heat.

It's not enough to blog this shit - you have to show up, and I'm sorry that I didn't know about it to just that.

In the big scheme of things, I don't know how much of showing up will change a thing with this uncaring, unfeeling administration. However, somewhere in history there will be notations - or 700 of them - of people pushing back, protesting, opposing.

This is important.

Maybe it will be just a note, but it will be there that not all were on board with the insanity that was the U.S. in the early 21st century.



Song by: Shakespear's Sister

Why Can't You Behave?

You feline fanatics get your wish today - more of Sophie. 

It's not all HRH, but she gets equal billing to Mr. Poopers.

Shep really trying to be a good boy and sit for his treat. 

Bobbi is our neighbor - the one who keeps buying Shep toys.  Spoiled, he is. 

When we walk by her house, he always checks the driveway to see if she's there. Smart man.

Well, she's not about to make eye contact.  ...even for the promise of food. 

Space Invader. 

She tolerates it pretty well. He is totally oblivious. 

Sophie is all about the attention and love. I am happy to provide both. 

Probable 'shot of the week'. 

Blue sky and overcats. Greenery and city scape. 

.....and one pooch. 

Song by: Ella Fizgerald

Fuck You

I've semi been off Facebook for the last few weeks.  I've tried not to look at some of the shit out there, and that was - or should have been - reinforced in the last few days. 

I'm going for at least a month. If I need pics of friends, I can look at their Instagram.  Usually they are just pics and no stupid-ass posts.

Still, I scrolled through yesterday. Probably a mistake. I didn't stay long.

The day before, a friend texted me with a linked article how Kennedy (the justice, not the president, or tertiary MTV VJ) destroyed his legacy as a gay rights hero. Apparently that title comes with a robe and no cape.

The thing that wised me up to stop even viewing FB was the title image by the same friend.

As fucked up as the GOP is, there are some very myopic democrats too.

Honestly, shouldn't the "F U"s be saved for the Alitos, Thomases and the newest fascist? Are we truly placing blame on Kennedy for wanting to retire at the age of 82 and after working since 1961?  You think he "owes us" or something?   He's not supposed to retire because it's an inconvenience to you?

It's such flawed logic, and it makes me a little crazy.  So while I scrolled through FB, I am committed to not commenting on shit like this.  Six people "liked" the post.  I wanted to seriously ask they 'why?'.   But then it would become a flame war.  Sure, I'd prevail, but thousands would perish.

Flawed logic also applies to posts by people who demean for whom others voted  - or didn't, but should have.  I am super tired of the people putting up shit about the folks who didn't vote at all for Hillary because Bernie got screwed.

These non-voters are always friends of friends. Yeah - THAT scenario.  Please oh please, present me first hand information on this faction......I beg of you. And dare you.  Until then STFU.

The true flawed logic is:  Hillary won the popular vote and yet still lost the election. So please tell me how those alleged 2,031 folks who might have stayed home out of spite swayed an election ?

The people who say this shit are the first ones who would tell you not to tell them how to vote, but they're happy to tell you.

If you want someone to blame on today's Supreme Court - leave Kennedy alone. He is not your servant or saviour.  Blame Mitch McConnell.  He is the sole reason there will now be an unjust court. Yes, it will be conservative, but there have long been those. This goes beyond that. 

McConnell's holding up Obama's nominee is the reason for what is about to come, so spare me your misguided indignation.



Song by: CeeLo Green

Drivin' Nails in My Coffin

This will be short and sour.

I cannot believe how fucked as a nation we are now. Kiss jurisprudence goodbye.

I do not say this lightly:  having BLOTUS fill another Supreme Court seat is actually worse than him winning another term in office.

The phrase these days seems to be: "civility".

All I can say is the Dems better get their shit together and refuse to let any nomination even get to discussion let alone a vote.  It worked for Weasel McConnell and while I'd like to think the Democrats are better than that - this is not the time to 'go high'.......all apologies to Michelle Obama.

This is honestly depressing as fuck.  I've tried to block it out today, but felt the need to record it here for history.......however short it will now be.



Song by: Rhonda Vincent

Protection

Oh Boo-fucking-Hoo.

What a fucking snowflake.

You know, owners can toss you from their restaurant even if you have a Secret Service detail.

Here's the thing though:  in the history of other presidents has any other Secretary of the EPA, Secretary of Education and a Press Secretary ever gotten a Secret Service detail?

It's not unprecedented but it is rare. That multiple people outside the President and Vice President (and immediate family members) have details is incalculable, the odds are so rare.

To me, this just says that this administration is so incredibly unlikeable and that people see the damage they are doing and the associated hate of others that they need round the clock protection before someone takes them out.

I'm not suggesting someone do that of course. But I'm not not suggesting it.

If Secret Service wants to take time off of pretending to protect these pussies, they know where to find me.



Song by: Lucinda Williams

Mr. Self Destruct

I am by no means the most ardent Nine Inch Nails fan. I know a handful of songs and little with which you can sing-a-long.

Trent Reznor (who basically IS the band) has some NIN project or other coming down the pike - the end of a trilogy he started in 2016 - so he was in the Sunday Times.  It was a short Q&A about several different things.

There was a question on if artists have a responsibility to address politics. Mr. Reznor believes they do, as they have a voice and certain influence. He thinks it is easier to keep one's mouth shut and that certain artists are more worried about their brand - and he only kind of sort of mentions Taylor Swift - but as an example, making sure there are more hers out there.

But it was the follow-up question that really hit me. Not the question, but his answer. The reported asked if it is different now than when he started the trilogy. He said it does, but it was the rest of his response that resonated....or Reznorated, if you will....with me.

My worrying about it isn’t helping anything. But what Donald Trump is doing is concerning and infuriating — and it’s not the conservative agenda, it’s not a question of religious preference, it’s not a question of should government be big or small. I don’t have any problem with those topics. But the disregard for decency and truth and civility is what’s really disheartening. It feels like a country that celebrates stupidity is really taking it up a notch.

That last two lines.

Oddly it made my heart sink and swell at the same time. Trent put into words - those last two lines - what I knew deep inside, but could not quite articulate succinctly. 



....and who am I to argue with a man who has arms like that?



Song by: Nine Inch Nails

My Music Monday

Week 7.  Albums (and one selection) that were important during your formative years.

Granted Abbey Road came out when I was 5, but it was one of those albums to which I gravitated as I did my rock music education.

There are a lot of great Beatles albums for sure, but Abbey Road was a little more unique, if nothing else than for Side 2.  After "Here Comes the Sun" (yawn!), and "Because" (arguably on of their best executed songs), comes a medley of eight seamlessly segued and semi-connected songs.

Abbey Road was the last recorded disk by the band, but not the final release. Let it Be was released as their last disk, but Abbey Road was recorded later and released earlier.


 

How Can I Refuse

Poor "little"  (see, it's in quotes because she isn't!) Sarah Fuckabee-Sanders got her plus-sized panties in a wad because she was denied service at a restaurant in Virginia.

Of course there is / will be the right outrage and the eventual on-line and probably physical backlash to the restaurant and its owner.

Of course the same people outraged won't see the irony the whole gay wedding - cake shop refusal thingy.

Yes - while SCOTUS did the ruling, Fuckabee-Sanders praised it and the baker's right to free speech.

Naturally I'm biased here. I hate this administration, I hate this woman and every single thing for which she stands. Sure the bakers based their refusal on 'religious freedom', but the owner of the Red Hen could do the same thing. It's now the law of the land.  All they have to say is under the Ten Commandments they view 'lying' as a sin and the second biggest liar in the land was in their establishment which they could not condone by g-d's law.

Period.  Boom!

All this aside, why should these clods expect to ever get an excellent customer experience?  Fuckabee-Sanders went to a town that overwhelmingly did not vote for BLOTUS. She had to know that. And she has the second most recognizable face in this administration (yeah, that includes you Pence).  Why the fuck did you think you'd be accepted in this place.........or any?

This administration is finally starting to see how disliked they are. Take this headline from Friday:

How how I laughed and laughed and laughed.......inside....where it counts.

I think the most reprehensible thing of it all is Fuckabee called out the restaurant and her experience on twitter...............but not her own personal account.  Nooooo - it was on the Press Secretary account, which basically saying the government condones a praise or tear down any singular personal business, helping to sway public opinion.  Even I'll give that fat-ass president the nod that he uses his own account and not the POTUS one for his buffoonery.

If the Red Hen wanted to publicly shame Fucakbee, they could just say didn't have enough food - they had to decide to feed her or the rest of their customers.  That might shut her pie-hole.



Song by:  Heart

Roll With It

It has been super-duper busy at work, so I didn't have lots of time to take images.

Roly-Poly Puppy

Eyes on each other.....especially Sophie to Shep.

This handsome dude greeted me - and talked at me - at doggie daycare. 

His Great Dane buddy did too. I laughed when he put this two front paws up on the partition - as if he needed to get taller. Then he slobbered all over the sleeve of my shirt. 

One of my daycare pick up pics that get sent 710. Good Shep profile. 

Song by: Steve Winwood

I Don't Care

There was a line in the movie the Queen, where Tony Blair asks rhetorically of his staff regarding the royals' behavior:  "won't somebody save these people from themselves.....?" 

That's kind of how I feel about the BLOTUS family. All of them. Even that little one, who probably should be separated from his family................by ICE.....or at least Children Services.

In a clan full of absolute morons, it's scary to think, but Melanoma might have been the most sane.

Past tense? Normally I'd say yes, but then I look at the rest of the group and still can't find anyone less moronic.  No worries, she's still in the moron bucket.

I was just about willing to let her stupid fucking ass tweet go during the surge of coverage over separated and imprisoned children.....

(really???  think first!)

.....when she wore the stupidest $29 coat ever produced.....to visit the kiddie koncentration internment camps

Oh, I can't blame the coat. In the right setting, it could be whimsical. Forced Government Orphanages for Non-Whites was not the right setting.

But of all the people she was with in DC, the actual trip and then in Texas, did not one person stop to think and say - "W.T.F., Melanoma?"

Well, I think that answer is obvious.


I will give the entire gang this:  each time they hit a new low and I think they can't surpass it - they do.

Good thing they're not alcoholics - they might never hit rock bottom.




Song by: Fall Out Boy