Supremes

Busy few days here...first, I have to admit...I was surprised that any GOPers were surprised by the decision of the Supremes...I always thought the Obamacare one was a stretch, and I didn't know of anyone who felt that Kennedy and the liberals wouldn't be together.  To be sure, I think Scalia is correct; we need to let the voters decide these things...whether we like it or not; I mean, I am not sure we want judges making up the laws...I would imagine liberals would start shitting if the Supremes started throwing out statutes of which they approved.  I still like my idea of some Governor -- like John Kasich -- going out and proposing plural marriage...we were discussing this at work, I pointed out there was no nothing to stop a legislature from doing that (voters be damned!) and lo and behold, I got back to the desk and there was a politico article..

Went to Dayton yesterday to help a  college friend move...in consequence, I cleaned a bathroom and went through a closet today.  No coincidence, I assure you...

I also joined match.com (I consider this trying to avoid a "Marty" fate) and all I can say is...I am underwhelmed.  I mean, I have blown a $100 and change before, but...  more seriously, I have 12 trainer sessions left...I guess I am ok with this fiscally, but...I will miss his more rigorous workouts.  I think I know enough of the machines...now I just need to keep doing it.

Game

So, went to the Tribe game today...the Tigers showed us some mercy in sending up a righty and giving Cabrera the day off.  In the meantime, Carrasco had an excellent slider today and I saw Lindor's first ML homer, which is pretty cool...I saw Grady Sizemore's first HR, so let us hope his career path is a little more improved..

Finally started Season Six of "Sons of Anarchy" today...I want to finish that one before I start something else, like "Mad Men" or "Justified."  I am also halfway through Scrap of Paper, which looks at the development of international law during WWI...it is interesting, though of course the first law of war is to win.  So, many of these things are a little moot.  Plus. I suspect many of the Allies -- just as they did in WWII -- were not exactly concerned with this, having experienced the full force of German militarism during the war.  At least the author of this takes pains to point that out...

Progression

I have to admit, I was a little surprised when Francona sent Bauer out there for the fourth; I mean, I understood why, but it was obvious he didn't have it tonight, and rather than continue to let him get nicked to death...you go to a new guy in a new game.  I think that is perhaps my strongest complaint about the guy; his confidence in his players means he goes to them far longer than he should.  I was a little surprised he didn't run for Perez in the 9th yesterday; I mean, I understand NOT wanting to use Gomes, but...a faster runner makes it a non-issue.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/why-do-schools-slow-down-so-many-bright-children/2015/06/21/39992086-14a4-11e5-9518-f9e0a8959f32_story.html?postshare=4981434941335142

I don't know; I suspect that cost is one issue, and then of course no one wants to be told their kid isn't up to snuff.  And, it is easier to simply group kids together.  But...I think this is yet another reason why public schools struggle in a lot of areas; parents simply pull their kids out...and a lot of these parents are the go-getter types who would be active in their kids' lives...and in the school, to say nothing of voting for levies.  I realize, of course, my anti-Catholic school and suspicion of private schools made me guilty of forcing this... but I also think that public schools cannot improve dramatically until they are driven to it by competition...isn't this what all of us conservatives believe?

I have to admit...the drive to ban the Stars and Bars is wonderful; I mean, I've never understood why GOPers have left this symbol of Treason and Democracy hanging about..

Links

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/06/19/an-australian-stand-up-comic-explains-what-u-s-gun-laws-look-like-to-the-rest-of-the-world/?tid=pm_business_pop_b

I thought this was hilarious, but...here in America, at least, we really don't slow down, if you will, for the 1% of people who can't keep up; we tend to leave them behind... I am not sure that that is bad, either; I mean, my Mom complains that she doesn't use a dot.com, but, well, too damn bad.  I broke down and got a smart phone...there are some things with it I could do without, but...  In general, though I think is what the American spirit is; you go out, you make your own mark, create your own path...

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2015/06/baltimore_police_are_virtually_on_strike_the_city_deserves_something_better.html

Maybe, just maybe, if we didn't have the union, we could get the police to do what we need them to do...and if not, we could fire them and bring in new ones.  Just a thought.

I made a comment on my facebook page about why we need to get rid of Section 8 housing...the one problem with the vouchers is that it gins up demand without doing anything to affect the supply.  We talk about affordable housing, but the main problem is that there isn't enough housing where it needs to be...no one wants to go back and put up Cabrini Green again, but on the flip side there is no way to inexpensively house so many people simply by putting up single-family units.  I think, whether we like it or not, we just need to buck up and build tenement-style apartments (there is no good way to say this) for as many people as possible...and get rid of the subsidies.

Shelled

Well, that was a thrilling Tribe game.  I realize it didn't really matter, but my God, Marcum really was left in there for a looong time, and it was obvious he didn't have it...  Alas, alack.

https://ia801404.us.archive.org/10/items/VinScullyCallsThe9thInningOfSandyKoufaxsPerfectGame/VinScully-1965-KoufaxPerfectGame9thInning_64kb.mp3

This is pretty cool for several reasons, like, for instance, the fact that Scully is calling it...and how he calls it.  Second, this broadcast is literally littered with famous names -- Kuehn, Tracewski, Koufax, many of the fine Dodgers of the era -- quite impressive.  Third...the Internet exploded last night when, during the TCU/Vandy game in the CWS, the reporter mentioned "perfect game" and sure enough, they broke it up, and lo and behold, everyone lost their shit about it (I tend to agree about the shit-losing)... but, as you can hear here, Scully mentions it all the time.  Hmmm...

http://www.si.com/mlb/2015/06/16/philadelphia-phillies-jeff-francoeur-pitches

I got a kick out of this...for one thing, I would think that using a non-pitcher means you aren't using any other pitcher, so I am not blaming them for not paying attention to the phone (I'd like to think that Francona, for all his bullpen machination, won't feel the need to do it again tonite).  Second...if you check out another clip, it is pretty funny watching Chase Utley lose his shit about leaving Frenchy out there to get his beating.  I mean, really, I know they are both seasoned professionals (if you get my drift), but Jesus, what the hell else are they supposed to do?

Update:  Murphy is now coming in with Raburn having an arm issue...either this is ridiculous, or Francona wants to get the LaRussa award.  God forbid Raburn -- semi-useful this year -- is hurt.  And the rest...well, it's pretty shameful.

Back to my previous point,,,hard to believe that Grady Sizemore is out of MLB and Jeff Francouer is in it...I mean, who would have made that bet 10 years ago?  Five?  Alas, alack.

Progress

"The Public Enemy" arrived today, thanx to Netflix.  Interesting; sort of a transition between the silents and the talkies -- the introductory scenes, the message at the end of the film -- and it was a pre-Code feature, or at least it was quite suggestive in many ways (for 1931).  I liked it, and you can clearly see how mob/crime films were influenced by it.

The Tribe has put on an offensive show, which is good, and Bauer had quite the impressive start.  I wonder when they will play the makeup; I really thought they would have two today, as no one wants to come in September to play a game that won't mean anything or have a DH..unless of course it is late and it will be viewed as "developmental."  I did note the Anthony Swarzak's contract was sold to the Koreans, which is remarkable, given that he didn't exactly pitch all that horribly as a mop-up guy...I mean, Atchison is around, and he has been worse...and the other guy gets sent 8,000 miles away.  I also note that Lindor has looked good and Urshela...well, he has been an upgrade with the glove.  I am saying we are going on a Toronto-style win streak, but...

Good workout yesterday, good one today, and tomorrow I have some extra time with the trainer...things could be worse on the not-looking-like-a-fatass front.

Swelter

On the one hand, I noticed that it is damn near impossible to get some of the film on the NFR; on the other, I watched four more Saturday and Sunday, so cooling off might be wise.  I liked "The Cheat" (1916 DeMille film, interesting insinuation of white/Asian love, if you get my drift), "The Chehchacos" (1924 film about a separated mother and child in Alaska in the Gold Rush Days), and "Chulas Fronteras" (documentary about Tejano musicians).  "Chan is Missing" had a dumb ending, so it was NOT a success.  Alas.

I should spend more time reading, sleeping, or watching SOA...tonite I am watching -- intently -- the Stanley Cup, mainly because I like playoff hockey, very pure.  So a slowdown in the film list -- and I was not trying to watch them all in this year -- may be ok, especially as the Netflix queue has several of them.

This first wave of heat...ugh.  Not a fan to begin with, but this is worse, I think, the first one for me...takes a while to acclimate, but in the meantime I am feeling the effects.  Sleep is affected, I found myself tiring at the gym (the trainer suggests more cardio, and I think he is correct), and I think it is about a week of heavy drinking (water, of course!).  I wonder if other people have this, or just me...

Jeb is in.  *yawn*

Awakenings

Progress continues on the media front.  I finished Season 5 of SOA, and yesterday I watched two films on the list:  "The Conversation" and "Gun Crazy."  First was pretty good; Gene Hackman as an audio surveillance expert (thus has relevance today) with a concern about a potential crime.  Second was a film noir about young lovers on a crime spree...it was decent, not quite as sure as everyone else it is that good, but it wasn't bad.  338 more to go (for the year).

I got a kick out of the prison escape story and the NAACP thing in Spokane...on the heals of the UVA thing, I think we need a national conversation about why women are so...dishonest.  :)  It would be funny as hell if someone did that, though.

I don't think the Tribe can win the series in Detroit, though it would be beneficial if they did...Urshela has not sucked one since he arrived -- a convenient touch -- and Salazar's start was not exactly awful.  I, like everyone else, is shocked, shocked that a lefty shut down the bats, and while it is David Price...well, you get my drift.

Progress

Well, that was a thrilling Tribe game...

Had dinner at Tay Do, a Vietnamese restaurant in Parma/Cleveland today...pretty good, actually, though I have not exactly had much experience with the cuisine.  I had a pho dish with pork, beef, and shrimp...hard to fuck it up.  I have been on an Asian kick lately, and I think it needs to continue.

I am up to 310 in the film list.  I watched "The City" last night, the 1939 World's Fair documentary featuring the music of Copland (the best part) and the work of Mumford...interesting, cool pics, but a lot of it is...um, yeah.  Over the weekend was "The Thing From Another World" on TCM, so keeping with my trend of watching them when available, I checked it out...The flick is somewhat famous for being the only Howard Hawks horror film out there, and James Arness -- Marshal Matt Dillon -- was the Thing...sci fi is NOT my favorite, but it was...ok.  I have a bunch due in from the library, and I still need to get the SOA season 5 out the door...

Vacation

So, I was watching the Tribe game...Swisher was up, 2 men on, one out, and I said...he won't get it out of the infield.  And he didn't.

Took the day off yesterday; went to the bank, did some chores, some weeding, watching some Season 5 of SOA.  It was good to do it, but when I came back to work, it was coming and going...and more of it tomorrow.  I always joke about never taking vacation days for this reason, but...

I got a kick out of the Tribe; sending down half the infield and then drafting a guy recovering from TJ surgery...brilliant.  Well, maybe; to be sure, anything would be an improvement over Chisenhall and Ramirez.  I would like to see more of Walters, but he is NOT one of Terry's guys, and Aviles is (as is Swisher), and thus he is condemned to ride the pine (though it beats AAA).  I would like to see what Giovanny can do; he looked ok out there today, and the hitting looks the same (so far).  As for the draft, I like the idea of taking pitchers; whether or not Bundy is the one...I get that TJ surgery is more established, if you will, as a practice...but he might not come back..of course, he does come cheaply, an not-umimportant consideration for this club....

Fest

Today is the birthday, and while I do not like them that much -- you get older, and my other failings are magnified -- the fact of the matter is I really cannot complain about this one.  Yesterday was OC duty, where I did nothing but pack food bags, which was fine.  Then off to the Tribe game with Favorite Niece, where we saw a win and got a Kluber bobblehead.  Today was Corpus Christi and a family dinner of Chinese (I've had a hankering) and some QFT.

I was going to say this yesterday (he didn't have a good day today, of course) but Moss has actually played...well, decently.  Not world-beating, of course, but his OPS has been about .800, which is ok.  He is no Gold Glover, but he has shown decent power and considering that he was picked up for spare parts, I cannot complain.  Quite frankly, Swisher and Bourn are the sunk costs; it would take balls to cut them both or even one,  but Swisher can't even hit mistakes anymore, and Bourn...they are better off putting Brantley in CF and running the platoon in LF (both of those guys have done well this year).  I realize that those guys are Terry's guys and are thus untouchable, but...

Corpus Christi was nice, but it was also almost entirely in Polish, which is ok, but it is hardly the thing to attract people who are not Polish...I wonder if this is by choice (Polonia is heavily involved) or oversight, but I think it is not exactly wise...

Seconds

http://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2015/06/02/high-on-vice-tobacco-candy-and-snacks-drive-dollar-general-sales/

I am shocked, shocked by this... I think -- and this is what the libtards tend to forget  -- is that the poor tend to spend more than their fair share on things like this, which is exacerbated by the fact that 1) They shouldn't be doing this and 2) These things eat up a larger share of their already small disposable income...and I know yes, some people consider these things necessities, but they are not.  This is why I really do not mind GOP efforts to cut food stamps/regulate what people can and cannot use for food with them.

Speaking of, the May stats:
450 client visits totaling 206 seniors, 650 adults, 413 kids.

One unpleasant side effect of the Rubio/Jeb show in Florida is that it will magnify the importance of the South Carolina primary, which is a problem, given the outsized the role it plays and the fact that...let's face it, they are a little kooky out there.  I mean, I love the bloodsport nature of things out there, but it isn't exactly good for the GOP.  Florida, in contrast, I think, is state that a person who does well in the GOP primary could do well in the general election. I also think that it would be much wiser for a GOPer to campaign in that primary...if you go there and lose, you were expected to do so; but if you go in there and come in second -- or even first -- it would be a big deal...

Up and at em

It has been an odd mix of busy, sleeplessness, and films...ugh.  No, it's not been awful; I finished City of Nets and moved on to the last book in the Nevins series...I will miss it, as I like its comprehensiveness.  Movie-wise...

First was "Cat People." Odd, but interesting; I could see how it influenced other films made later on. Last night I watched "Rebel Without a Cause."  I thought it was ok...not sure why.  One thing I picked up on was the...intense longing, if you get my drift, between Sal Mineo and James Dean.  I mean, for all the talk of that...feeling...being present in "Spartacus," it was all over the place in this one.  I wonder if it was noticed then...

In the meantime, the family wants to know what we are doing for the bday, and I really have no idea...given the family palate, cost, and the general active tenor of life lately...I wish I had five years back, but that is not happening, so I will figure something out...