Archives for 2023

Finally someone with a brain ended the series with the completion of season 5.  
Full Disclosure:  I enjoyed season 1 and stopped watching the show when it descended into stupidity mid-way through season 2.  I tried again at season 3 but did not make it through episode 1.  Thoughtful, clever dialogue was replaced with a cacophony of words, thousands of meaningless syllables, time filling noise that pounded the brain like a blacksmith’s hammer on a white-hot horseshoe.  And did anyone notice how she ignored her children?

I know I do not share the popular opinion, but people make inexplicable and idiotic choices beyond all comprehension on a daily basis (see trump supporters).  So while others shed a tear for Mrs. M’s departure from the small screen, I say hasta luego, baby.  Enjoy your fame and millions and make room for something of value.

Bring back Howdy Doody!  (Haha, I said doody!)

This insightful quote is from Carol Burnett when discussing how to portray a true villain. She nailed it!

Villain:  {vil-uhn} Noun: A cruelly malicious person who in involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime; scoundrel.
Can you think of anyone who fits this description?

• An incredible narcissist who thinks of no one but himself.
• Lost power and will do or say anything to regain it.
• Has a hugely inflated ego beyond any accomplishments
• Lies incessantly about everything.
• Thinks everyone is plotting against him.
• Has been indicted for crimes and found liable in civil actions.
• Lashes out with adolescent name calling when his 3rd grade intellect fails him.
• Is surrounded by sycophants attempting to gain favor for money or power.

Of course we can all agree there is one man that who checks all the boxes and can easily be identified as a true villain:   

Voldemort!

While modern medicine has only recently confirmed that optimism is good for the heart, this wisdom goes back 3000 years.  We can’t always choose our circumstances but we can choose our response and a cheerful response is good for the heart (and possibly the soul, but that is not my area of expertise).

There are times, however, when one must react differently and enlighten one’s adversary as to what shady bodily orifice they may shove their proverbial “it.”
Some say that also may be good for the heart. 

A conundrum!

Ichthyophobia: The fear of fish.  It’s not something I want to be public knowledge.  I only share it here as only 2 or 3 people will read it and I need to get it off my conscience.

I ordered the Trout Almandine.  The server set it in front of me and then flashed what I now realize was a glare of disdain.  The fearsome fish was served on a bed of soft rice pilaf that looked eerily similar to the silky limning of a polished mahogany coffin.  The trout was whole with a glassy green eye staring at me, cutting deep into my souls.  Although silent to others its voice was clear in my head.  “How can you take pleasure in dining on a life, perhaps a mother, taken all too soon from her family.  It was at that moment I realized I was truly afraid and would never again put myself in that position.  The only remedy was veganism and, at that moment, I vowed to adhere to a strict vegan diet.

In a fortunate turn of events, the fish was delicious and I had to slightly adjust my resolve.  I would never again order trout almandine and assure if I did order fish, it would be a fillet; no heads please.  And, of course, I never have had that problem with beef, pork or lamb.

Being a vegan is easier than I imagined.  Some take issue with my brand of veganism but I simply recite the age old truism: “Veganism is in the eye of the beholder.”
(Mic Drop)

Tonight Linda and I watched the final episode of television’s best show, Ted Lasso on Apple TV.  With the end of the show came the end of anything good on that network.  It was nice having something decent to watch that did not include car chases, multiple killings and ear-shattering explosions.

The good news is I can now save $6.99 a month by cancelling Apple TV and use the money on the $19.99 cost to rent John Wick IV.

The irony is not lost on me.

     This Chinese proverb has versions throughout the world.  Most are interpreted to mean be satisfied with what you have rather than seeking more and possibly losing everything.
     In England it can be interpreted differently.  In England I think I would take a shot at two birds in the forest.  Remember two heads are better than one.
     My apologies Ladies. This post is really sleazy.  I’m so ashamed.  In fact it was so clearly sexist I need to be punished; given a good spanking!.

Any volunteers?

There seems to be some confusion so allow me to clear it up for you.

The Radical Left, a title I have heard when attached to me, are perhaps, not the vilified demons conservatives might think.  Let me bullet point a few truths with regard to me, where we may differ from the conservatives view of our positions.  I don’t presume to speak for every “rat bastid pinko” but feel I reflect the majority opinion.

• We do support our troops and grieve for those that have made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.  We acknowledge mistakes; that there were times when our troops should not have been sent into battle.  
• We feel it is good for democracy to protest unjust laws that give authoritarian power to a limited few.
• We are not prone to phony acts of patriotism like challenging people to post a flag on Facebook then denigrate those that don’t. We believe our soldiers fought not for the flag, but the human rights our Flag represents.
• We believe it is necessary for corporations and billionaires to pay a fair share of taxes.
• We must teach our children the true history of the United States, good and bad, including slavery, treatment of indigenous people and methods of land expansion as “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” – George Santayana,
• We feel it is a national shame that in this land of plenty the USDA says 34 million people, including 9 million children, are “food insecure.”
• The 2020 presidential election was fair and the hundreds of millions of dollars spent trying to unsuccessfully promote a lie started by perhaps the most prolific liar in history, only weakens democracy is another shame on all of us.

I just thought of 10 more differences but the preceding 6 should be enough for conservatives to unfriend me.  But let me close with lucky number 7:
     7:  My family, like many, is politically divided.  But I truly love and respect many of my family and friends whose views are diametrically opposed to mine.  But I cannot understand the thinking that anyone believes out of over 300 million people in The United States of America the best choice for President in a lying, twice impeached, indicted sociopathic narcissist who has cheated people through bankruptcy and frivolous lawsuits and wants to be president again so he can pardon all his friends and family that have been or will be convicted of crimes.  And, of course, so he can be named Dictator for Life.

Is now a good time for me to ask to borrow money?  Too soon?

“There will be no end to the troubles of states, or of humanity itself, till philosophers become kings in this world.” Plato (429?–347 B.C.E.)      
“Plato is, by any reckoning, one of the most dazzling writers in the Western literary tradition and one of the most penetrating, wide-ranging, and influential authors in the history of philosophy”  Quoted from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

So how are we doing in finding a philosopher king?  Well, so far we have liars, sycophants, narcissistic megalomaniacs, egomaniacal sociopaths, charlatan doctors and shyster lawyers; you know, the 99% of scumbags that make it tough on the 1% of honest politicians.

There are some philosophers available for draft.  My three top choices: Oprah, Neil deGrasse Tyson or Pee-Wee Herman (he can really take matters in his own hands!).
Any other suggestions?

Filed under “No Duh” is a recent report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention cites 208 confirmed outbreaks of illness direct attributed to “treated recreational water,” aka public pools and hot tubs.  The water, heat and steam can give you a rash and make you sick.  Getting any in your mouth is like the kiss of the spider woman.

So along with avoiding hot tubs this summer I’ll pass on snorkeling in the Ganges, Frolicking in the Nile, Dog-paddling across the Yellow River or skinny-dipping in  the Mississippi.  I’ll cool off in my kiddie pool filled with Arrowhead spring water.

And I’ll be inside.  I bet the paparazzi would love to get a shot of me soaking; probably start a bidding war among the tabloids for rights to that photo!

I learned something new from the AARP today.  1 in 4 couples sleep in separate bedrooms and, on average, gain an extra 37 minutes of restful sleep.  Apparently that’s a good thing for a variety of reasons including restless movements, snoring and use of electronics in bed.

In my 48 years with Linda we have always had one residence, one joint checking account and one bed.  Our money, living space and bed were always shared (with me getting most of the drawers and closet space; fashion is my jam!); no separate accounts, hidden funds or secret hiding places.  But I hear that is old fashioned.  The “till death do us part” only applies in half the marriages.  So, in preparation, many couples maintain a large measure of independence through separate checking accounts, credit cards, responsibilities for monthly bills and now, bedrooms.

How to maintain intimacy.  The couples have a variety of options; each other’s room, the kitchen counter (after a dramatic sweep of the dishes, the back seat of the Tesla, the laundry room (during the spin cycle), or when all else fails; ZOOM!