Exeunt 2023

 Finally finished Going Infinite, which will make my final reading total for the year at... 66.  More than 50, which is fine, I guess.  As for the book... Lewis makes the point (this has been debated across the Internet, you can look it up) that the money that was supposedly stolen/lost/embezzled might actually be out there... in which case, would this not make a point in SBF's favor, should he ever have an appeal coming down the pike?  I mean, if there are no losses, his argument that he was a crappy bookkeeper... well, again, I am not sure anyone would believe it, but all you have to do is convince a majority of judges on the appeals court, and given how many Hope and Changers there are out there...

2023 is almost in the books; I am off soon to a small fest.  This year was... interesting.  Getting laid off and being unemployed for four months was certainly NOT in the cards for me, and I would rather NOT have to deal with that again.  Now, though, I have a pretty good and cool career (though I will always love Pebble!) and I cannot complain about that.  The HELOC is paid off (despite said unemployment) and while I am foot-dragging on the new bathroom... well, the path is at least clear for a new one.  The Behemoth is still running and I am making progress on the mortgage -- also good.  No gf, of course, but I think we have accepted that that ship has sailed.  I am a bit fat -- now is NOT the time for food discipline --- but that is my own damn fault and in some ways that is something that can be fixed.  I have a mostly empty email box (good) and I have even been making progress on the links and bookmarks pile!  So... it wasn't the best year, but it has ended fairly well, and if this continues into 2024...I will consider myself blessed (especially if we have a Republican Senate, House, and President).

Speaking of:

This Hidden Voting Bloc Could Swing the 2024 Election | The Epoch Times
Interesting; one could certainly call them low-information voters, but I guess it would be more fair to say they are low-interest voters.  Not everyone, I tell myself, has an expansive memory and a working knowledge of swing counties!  This article does indicate the GOP's bind; Trump's antics (if you will) clearly aggravate a good chunk of voters, but a lot of people like the guy because of/in spite of these things, and they will only vote if he is leading the charge.  I am not sure I like either horn of the bull...

Make up

 So, I had wanted to post last night, but I fell asleep.  By which I mean, I nodded off on the floor of the living room (lights on, etc.) and when I woke up it was... 6:15.  (Think of the carbon emissions!)  I should gotten up and gone to the gym, but I felt a little tired, so I laid back down on the floor (shutting off the lights first!) and slept in til 8.  I did need the rest, but...  yes, it was odd.  I have to admit, I didn't have any ill effects on my back or anything; I guess it is quite comfortable.  Hell, it is probably warmer!

Anyways, there was much to discuss yesterday.  First, the game.  I don't think anyone expected having to use the third QB there, and that clearly affected things, but... this could be me, but a lot of the play calling was highly suspect.  All those screen passes -- don't they rely on timing and reps?  Why try them -- and they NEVER worked -- so often with a guy who barely practiced?  Similarly, how often did the left side blitzer race in, unguarded, and blow up the pass play?  I would have liked if someone had asked Ryan Day if he was trying to use the 4th QB.  I guess I can sort of see limiting the playbook, but... hasn't he been watching and learning all year?  Shouldn't he know the plays?  I mean, I think it was obvious the defense was exhausted, having been on the field so long, and that affected things late, but...

Do I think Day should be fired?  No... I mean, 56-8 is impressive, and yes the losses are the big games, but... most schools would kill for 11-2 every year.  Plus, last year the D was a problem and he fixed it.  I think the O-Line was more of a problem than the QB -- though they may go portal now -- and I would believe that that is the sort of thing that can be fixed.  Hell, Harbaugh will be in the NFL next year, and that problem might take care of itself.  :)

The other big news was Mike DeWine's veto of the transgender bill.  I am not sure what the end game is here.  Does he really believe it is an overreach?  Then say so!  I mean, this is probably his last job ever (given his age) so it is not as if he can use this as a springboard to some sort of RINO-like career.  Another thought that has came to me is that 1) The GOP in the state legislature has the votes to overturn this and 2) DeWine knows this, so the result is that he can veto it -- earning the props of the MSNBC class -- and then let the actual Republicans do their thing.  Or, another variation -- the GOP will try to overturn the veto and fail (there are a lot of Tom Patton types out there) and everyone can get what they wanted.  I just wonder what it will take for the supermajorities in the State House to say "fuck this" and go to war (if you will) with the governor.  Now, they don't quite have the votes for that, but... they could make his life miserable for a while.  And, in some ways, they should.

I am about two-thirds of the way through Going Infinite (the Michael Lewis book about SBF and FTX).  Two main points.... one, SBF is clearly on the autism spectrum, but it never seemed to be brought up at trial, or...anywhere?  I would think it might have played some role, even if to drum up sympathy.  Two... reading about the culture and the decisions that were made (if you will), how could anyone who worked there have taken anything seriously?  I just don't see it.  Quite odd.

Out of kilter

I have been out of sorts all day!  I went to bed a bit later than I wanted to yesterday, and then I woke up earlier today than I anticipated.  Now, I had planned on going to the gym bright and early, but my blood sugar was low... and it has pretty much remained so all day.  Oi.  Anyways, then I did some work on my consulting job, and that was good, but I did a bit less than I expected -- the exterminator came (house is fine, garage will still attract insects for the winter; more traps were laid), and then when he left people came to the door twice, and I had to politely but firmly cast them off.  Alas. 

Then it was off to Solon for a late lunch at Munch (I met a friend, and gently suggested it, as it was on my list).  It was interesting; not much of a place (strip mall, hard to find, sort of), but they have an expansive menu, and I was offered soup samples.  The black bean chili (my original choice) was quite spicy, so I opted for the sweet onion soup with a chicken salad sandwich.  The soup was good -- lots of onion, good flavor -- and the chicken salad was interesting.  Fresh carrots and chicken, not much mayo -- good blend.  I also had a bowl of matzo ball soup; also good, but the huge matzo ball... well, it was hard to deal with.

Anyways, since I was on the East Side, so I did a couple of errands and then hit the gym on the East Side.  Odd; I used to go there every day, and now... well, it was largely unchanged, which was good!  No familiar faces, but I also went in at an odd hour... then I went to Burntwood Tavern in Solon to meet some friends for dinner. This was also good, but... between the hearty meal, or the fresh and natural ingredients of Munch, let's just say that the progress in my stomach malady was largely erased.  Alas.  I feel fat, even with the Colon Blow experience tonight.  Definitely a gym double tomorrow, depending, of course, on the blood sugar... I mean, I can't do much cardio if the sugar is too low, and then I have to snack, and it is a double weight whammy.  Sigh.

Nikki Haley really stepped in it today, and honestly... I have NO idea what she was thinking.  The comment that she is not running for office in South Carolina anymore seems highly apt.  I wish the DeSantis campaign was positioned to take advantage, but...alas.

Road Trip!

 Another thing I was supposed to do on my week off and I have not:  calling food pantries and other help locations across the area -- hell, even our service zip codes -- to see if they are still operating and when they do business.  How many have I called?  Not a one!  Oi.  Today, of course, I did nothing at all!  Ok, not really; I slept in slightly, did some paperwork, and then hit the gym.  Came home, showered, and then decided to go to Medina and check out Black Cat Books and Oddities, the newish bookstore there.

First... when did Medina become so built up?  Used to be the ride on 18 was fairly rural, and now... sort of reminded me of the stretch of 23 (or OH-36) south of OWU.  Back in the day, it was all grass, and now... n0thing but stores and homes.  Now... the entire stretch of 18 until you get into town is built up.  Impressive but... sad, in a way.  Also, it seems downtown Medina is a thing; I tried to park close to the bookstore, could not, and ended up parking about a mile away in the public garage (at least it is free).  On the way to the store I walked around the square there, and it was... quite charming!  Lots of little stores, coffee shops, restaurants, that sort of thing.  I am quite the hardass, but this was... heartwarming.

Similarly, Black Cat Books and Oddities was a real treasure!  The rooms are roughly themed -- Poe, for instance -- but there is a decided bent towards mysteries and fiction.  Lots of good stuff there (even if a bit too many tarot cards and the occult), and I even took a picture of the "Banned Books" shelf, though I really don't think that keeping stuff from kids until they reach high school constitutes banning.  Anyways, I picked up a book from my list that I remembered and a Sherlock Holmes game (one cannot have enough Sherlockania) which I will maybe crack open this weekend, when I am again not doing what I should be doing.  Then I walked around downtown, developed low blood sugar, stopped for a coffee and muffin, and recalled the vignette from The Guns of August when Henry Campbell-Bannerman loved France so much that he took the Channel steamer there and back for lunch.  I thought, hmm...I could certainly do that once in a while.  Then, as I so often do, I thought to myself "this is why you are single, Mattie."

After my meander, I then hopped in the Behemoth (which was not so big down there; lots of bigger pickups than my own!) and drove up 71 to Fathead, where I met a friend, had an IPA (fruity but good) and even ordered a half-dozen of their wings.  Not really a wing guy, but... these were pretty good.  They are yuuuggge, with each one equivalent to two normal wings.  Anyways, it was nice, but by the time I got to my car... I just felt craptastic.  I mean, my stomach was rumbly and I was feeling the air constrict in my windpipe.  Never really felt that way before, so... odd.  I opened the windows, drank some water, began breathing deeply, and eventually felt a little better.  I must have laid the seat back and nodded off, because I woke up about 45 minutes later.  At least I felt incredibly kickass then.  So off to the gym for leg day and a killer bike ride; so much so that I finished the book I was reading (65) about the takeover of New World biota by Old World crops.  Interesting!

Watched "We're Alive," a documentary from the 70s, and a new entrant to the National Film Registry.  It was... ok?  It is about women who are incarcerated, and while there are some things that are relevant now, as I like to say, there is a reason why people get sent there in the first place.  At least it clocked in at under an hour.  824!

How Mayim Bialik Lost Her Role as the Main Host of ‘Jeopardy!’ - The Ringer
Interesting.  Not sure how I feel about this; never really loved Mayim as a host, but I thought she was fine.  On the other hand, I think Ken does have more of a rapport with the contestants and as the article notes, has become stronger.  He was also... there, if you will, during the strike, and attendance counts for something.  I still think they could rotate guest hosts in, and it's not like the door is fully closed on Mayim.  And that is probably fine.

Under Across the Board

On the one hand, I have the whole week off, but on the other hand, I have plenty of stuff to do!  My contract job, a house to finish cleaning, and -- I remembered today -- a bathroom renovation to plan for.  Oi.  I guess it is time to find a contractor, so... I will need to look at at least 5 or so.  Alas.  I also realized that with all this "free" time I should probably cross off a couple of restaurants on my list to visit, so... another thing to do this week.  Now, these are not bad things, but... it's a benevolent mix of Jenga and jigsaw this week.

One thing I did do today was watch a couple of flicks.  From the NFR list (823!), I watched "Fame," which, of course, I had never seen.  I certainly recognized a number of faces, at least (need to look up who was who).  It was long and...ok?  I mean, I am not the target audience, and while it was interesting in some ways, I could have... done with a shorter film, if you will.  A few days ago I had watched "Dinner at Eight," a pre-code star-studded extravaganza that was... well, I rather like these sorts of films; interesting banter, a more modern look at stuff considered scandalous back in the day, and plenty of good acting. I also watched "The Search for General Tso," ostensibly about the development of the dish, but more a history of Chinese food (and people and culture) in America.  I love this sort of stuff, and it was quite interesting!

Slept in also.  Not good; ok, I need the rest, but I wanted to get up early, do some work, that sort of thing.  I ended up not leaving the house until after 12, hit the gym and the bank (good workout!), and gassing up the car for the week.  I guess this was good overall, but I am damn sure to get up bright and early tomorrow and getting stuff done, like it or not!

I am listening to a podcast about the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and honestly... I don't think that the decision to launch planes so late in the day -- ensuring that many of them (and their pilots) would  not come home, was a wise idea.  I am sure they counted on higher losses, but figured they could really plaster the Japanese fleet.  The fact that we didn't isn't exactly helpful, to be sure, but after having smashed the air forces in the Philippine Turkey Shoot... I would have tried again the next day and simply said that they had won, and that was that.

Merry Christmas

 Christmas is over...sort of.  It went... fairly well?  Yesterday was spent with my sister, brother-in-law, and favorite niece.  We just snacked, watched football (especially the Browns), exchanged presents, played a couple of games, and made fun of each other immensely.  There are loving families, but not ours, as we say.  Anyways, I arrived home about 8:30ish, caught up on J!, and then just chilled.  

Today I woke up bright and early.... not sure why, as Mass was more full than usual but not exactly crowded (thought there were plenty of people in back; I was fascinated, as I had no idea who a lot of these people were or where they came from.  Mass quite beautiful -- wonderful hymns, good music, excellent decorations -- but fast.  Fr. Eric had Mass in 42 minutes yesterday, and today... Fr. Michael did about the same.  With all the Masses they had to say (Fr. E said nine yesterday!) I think everyone was just in a hurry to get it over with; the homily was quite brief as well.  Anyways, I went to the gym and there were about 18 people there (all regulars).  It was sort of nice; only the hard core people were there and there was no meandering at the machines.

Later that afternoon I hit a friendsXmas, and that was... fun. Just good to eat, nibble, catch up, and watch some of  "Harry Potter," where I made a number of comments about the budding Harry/Ron romance.  They were surprised I had not read the books or seen the movies -- a legacy of my betrothal, I guess.  I hit a couple of kids houses after, and then home.  Rah.

The Many Myths of the Boston Tea Party | History | Smithsonian Magazine
Interesting; one doesn't remember the part about doing this to prevent the stuff from being illegally sold.

How slaveholding families reasserted themselves after the Civil War (reuters.com)
Also interesting; I went through all of the articles in the list, and... I am not sure what to do; I mean, I think the GOPers are correct in that reparations aren't exactly the way to go, but how do you account for all that has transpired since then? 

Early Celebrations

We celebrated Christmas on my Mom's side of the family today... first time ever that we didn't have it ON Christmas Eve.  Not sure why...but it was fun.  My uncle had his brother and family over -- have not seen them in years -- so it was good to catch up and such.  He didn't cook (sadly) but had food brought in, and it was... fine!  We spent a lot of time together, eating and talking and catching up.  I mean, there has been an odd vibe to the weekend as it is -- Xmas on a Monday will do that -- so in some ways this off-holiday Christmas was with that, but it was...good.  I got home at 7:30 or so and thought about a trip to the gym (again) for legs, but... I ended up finishing some stuff up and nodded off slightly.  Up now, which is... interesting.  Hope my sleep cycle isn't off; I am tempted to turn in slightly early tonight, just because I can....

All of these college bowl games made me realize how much I missed playing NCAA Football on the PS2.  I mean, not so much the games, but the creating your own school (or playing an existing one), setting up a program, recruiting, etc.  Really no time to do any of that now, of course, but it would be nice if I could.  OK, I could, but... there are other things to do.  Like read, do SVDP stuff, etc.  I am up to 64 books so far and while 70 is probably out of reach... I can try, at least.

New restrictions on SNAP would hit majority-Hispanic House Republican districts - POLITICO
Is this a problem?  I guess to me an obvious solution is to mandate more strenuous work requirements as part of SNAP eligibility.   As someone who volunteers at a community food pantry, I can assure you that a good number of our clients are perfectly capable of working, but choose not to.  Mandating work would also do such things as boost Social Security receipts (more people are working and paying into the system) and lessen the need for immigration -- again, these people can do some of the jobs (and can be trained, if need be).  Plenty of people are poor and work already and shuffle child care (one job that some of these people could do!) and transportation issues and do not need benefits, so... why not more?  

Hither and Yon

Interesting day today; last day in office (WFH home tomorrow, off next week) so while there was this sense of recess (if you will) it was also very busy -- lots of stuff came down the pike and there is plenty to take care of tomorrow.  I intend to log on and check in during the week, and if I need to do something, I will, but I have been largely told not to do such.  Reminds me of Pebble, actually.  I intend to hit the gym early tomorrow and get everything done!

One downer of sorts; one of parishes said they had extra Christmas presents for me, would I want them?  Well, it took a day to find out (the schools in the Village are closed for the year now) and by the time I did, the presents were taken to another (and deserving!) school.  Fine.  But, they called back and said they had some leftover, so I left work a bit early and hustled to the East Side... and there was a half-box of random books and stuff.  Sigh.  The kids can certainly use the coats, at least, and I will keep my antenna up for the long-term for more stuff.

For....reasons, I have started to listen to the entire repertoire of the Mike Johnson theological podcasts.  They are... interesting, leave it at that.  Completely different faith tradition, to be sure, but it is a good look and sense of what many in our wonderful GOP coalition are thinking.  I do not doubt that it is different, but the demonization (if you will) of their religious beliefs by the left is, to me, completely abhorrent to the spirit and ideals of our Founders; most of them were hardly religious, but they were certainly not intolerant.

politico.com/f/?id=0000018c-5c73-d0ce-a98c-7c7be6b50000&nname=playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&nrid=ccfeb898-0174-47bc-8200-846bade79d2d&nlid=630318
Eight states may decide the next Presidential election?  To me, that is... not good. Understandable, but not good.

The easing of troubles

 Well, that was an impressive Duke game!  Funny; I watched until J! came on, and Duke was playing outstandingly well, and then when I switched off... it appeared Baylor came back equally strong.  The second half...many times I thought they were dead, but -- despite foul trouble by Filipowski (Ryan Young, where have you been?) -- they finished incredibly strong and pulled out the upset win (I just love saying that).  It's a big win in many ways, mainly because... well, the non-conference slate isn't that strong, and the MSU win is... not that good now.  Losing to AZ is no slouch, but other than that... well, the Brotherhood, if they play like this all year... just saying.

Susanna Gibson’s Campaign and the Crisis of Digital Privacy - POLITICO
I really don't know what to think of this; on some things I think she made some good points, but then I think "if you are running for office, you should be smarter than that."  Yes, I know she is a Democrat, but... then again, Donald Trump certainly didn't purge his records, business dealings, and interesting personal relationships, did he?

Went to Malley's for some hostess/Xmas gifts, and... whoa.  They have really gotten expensive.  Yes, I know you are paying for quality, and what hasn't gotten expensive, but... it was sort of eye-popping.  Christmas only happens once a year, I realize, but times like this make me somewhat pleased about that.

Another popping thing; for the last few weeks, my stomach has been...rumbly.  Not sure how or why but I have never had such prolonged feelings of craptasticness.  Until today; pretty much all day today I felt... normal.  Odd.  Good.  If it was a bug, I hope it has passed, though I will continue to load up on OTC stuff and I may just use the prescription the MD wrote for me.  My old MD would have appreciated that I really felt crappy to call in for help, but now, with the new guy... alas.

I got a bunch of Xmas cards today, but I am still behind.  I know I am not exactly one for sending them, but I always mail them out to people who do send me one, and thus I am sure if this a secular decline (in every sense of the word) or people just being equally grinch-like to me.  In which case, I really cannot complain...

Canonical follies

 Two days without posting... interesting.  Last night I made the odd choice to attend my friend's bday fest at Crocker Fest (I misread the calendar and thought I would be in-office that day).  It was... well, going there it was fine, but midway through dinner it seemed to get a bit snowier.  Not a lot, mind you, but... anyways, dinner was at Barocco, and it was...good not great?  I guess it was fine; food was good, a bit spicy, but I was full (too much so, in retrospect) afterwards.  The arepas are interesting; basically overstuffed tacos but with a thicker crust.  Anyways, after a brief meander through the mall, it was time to drive home, which was somewhat perilous.  Guess it was the wind, because the roads were quite crappy, which surprised me, as it seemed we barely had an inch of snow.  (My driveway guy plowed, not that I blame him, but... I barely had an inch and a half.)  By the time I did arrive home I just wanted to crash -- driving in snow is a bit more stressful than I thought.  I know I have 4WD, but.. is it me, or do more people just put blinkers on and drive dangerously slow on highways now?  More to the point -- as always -- you never see cops doing anything about them.  Oi.

Is it me, or is the Pope (or Anti-Pope, as increasing numbers of Catholics call him) trying to have it both ways?  The man says you cannot bless sin, but you can bless a same-sex union?  Provided, of course, it doesn't resemble anything like a canonical marriage?  I am not exactly sure what he is doing though I would not completely disregard the idea that this came out on the same day as the verdict in the Vatican corruption scandal...  as I so often say, we never seemed to have these problems when the Pope was Polish...and Catholic.  Another thing:  I got a kick out of one of the TV channels interviewing a minister from the NeoConfederate Methodists.  This could be me, but asking a minister of that denomination about this -- considering how beneficial it has been for them! -- is... utterly ironic.

If Europeans should pay reparations for slavery, what about Africa? (msn.com)
I would love to see someone -- anyone! -- bring this up, and see what the African/Islamic community has to say about that.  I forget who it was, but the comment about the Foreign Office being the place where future diplomats go to learn to stutter seems to be most appropriate here.

Hard to believe Christmas is one week away...the arrival of snow may put me in the mood, somewhat, as will the completion of the last round of gift shopping, but it seems as I get older, it just hits you faster and harder.  Maybe if I had kids it would be different, but... I put the tree on, and it is quite beautiful, so that might put me in the mood more.  I think I will try to keep it up longer this year, to preserve -- in my own small way -- the beauty of the season.  I should also be less lazy and put up some Christmas decorations, too.  Ahem.

Troubles

 So, last night I just crashed about 10ish, and then today -- after food pantry duty -- I laid down after lunch and ended up sleeping for three hours, and honestly, I have been tired all damn day, which is why the sum total of my achievements seem to be baking four potatoes, evening prayer, and watching the CSU/Iowa women's basketball game and "The Great Train Robbery" (I love that film!).  To be sure, I need the rest, and a chill day is probably ok, but.. not really.  Much to do!  Or, at least, even the little stuff could be accomplished.  Tomorrow is another day, but... Course, I should really just crash now, but I am not that tired.  Oi.  Most depressing.

The Daily Caller story about the Ben Cardin aide having sex in the Senate... I am vastly amused by it, of course.  A bunch of my friends and I were group texting about this, and... well, of course we divined he was a Democrat.  I mean, how could anyone be that stupid to think that this wouldn't get out?  Even for a Democrat, this is pretty stupid (which seemed to be the group consensus). I am not exactly sure how we can capitalize on this (aside from the morality and stupidity part) but... we should.

This could be me, but...our reluctance to enter into Gaza and free hostages is...troubling.  If this were Sasha or Malia Obama, or Bronny, we'd have half the armed forces in there.  But just ordinary Americans?  And we are worried about what?  Pissing off the Arab World?  Killing terrorists?  I would think GOPers would be more involved in calling out the Biden Administration for this.

Listing

 Last night I was tired and decided to just lay down on the bed while I read some stuff online.  In retrospect, this was... an unwise choice, as I promptly fell asleep and woke up at 3:45 needing to go to the bathroom, shut off the lights, and change my CGM.  Alas.  I guess, as I so often do, that I needed the rest, but...  today I felt it.  I mean, I was... fine, but a half-step off, if you will.  I came home, had dinner, caught up on J! (I had a dinner meeting at Carrabba's, which was fine but long), and settled in for a night of TCM.  Because...

National Film Registry Unveils 25 Films Added For 2023 – Deadline
This came out yesterday, and tonight they have the Librarian of Congress talking about the films and the airing of some of them.  I have only seen a few on the list, and I just watched "The Wedding Banquet" (821), which was... meh.  I mean, I can see how it is culturally significant, but as a film... well, it was just predictable and not that exciting.  In some ways I think this push for representation has simply added crappy films to the list.  Alas; there used to be such excitement when the list came out -- what I had seen, what I hadn't, what I missed.  Now... it seems like they are checking boxes.

When the New York Times lost its way (economist.com)
I read this -- and it is a long read -- and I do not know what to think of it.  On the one hand, this is admirable of him to admit that the NYT has a problem, but... the fact that no one else there seems to think it is a problem is a problem in and of itself.  

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam under federal investigation over potentially illegal payments to Pilot executives: Report - cleveland.com
I got a kick out of this one; I mean, first he gets dragged through the mud over the kickback scheme, then he goes and signs Watson, and now this.  The fact that Warren Buffet is making the accusation adds a certain amount of panache to it... I guess I would say that if Haslam hadn't pulled any of those other shenanigans, I would pay them as much attention as any other claim, but...

Antics

 Interesting; two nights ago I went to bed fairly early -- tenish, and got a full eight-plus hours of sleep.  Last nite (as evinced by the radio silence) I went to bed about 10:30 and -- sadly -- woke up at 5:45 due to a bathroom break.  But...still, seven hours of sleep.  Two nights, above-average rest.  And the result?  I have been sore ALL day, especially from about noon on.  Nor have I felt particularly refreshed.  Odd.  I guess I need more rest than that.

Went to the mall today to do some shopping, and some is the word; most of what I was not there or out of price range.  Alas.  On the other hand, I have some alternatives, so there is that.  Actually, I had a happy thought; I could get the other stuff elsewhere (or have already ordered it) and once it comes in I could box it and take it to the mall to be gift-wrapped.  I don't think there is anything that says I cannot, and provided I bought something while I was there (food, something)... well, what would they care?  Bringing in stuff could be returns or anything.  Plus, I get out of gift-wrapping, always a plus event in my house.  I need to figure out the logistics, and pray stuff arrives, but... the more I think about it, the only downside is a return trip to the mall, which I sort of enjoy; the people-watching, the sense of economics, and of course the opportunity for a sweet almond pretzel...

Greedflation: corporate profiteering ‘significantly’ boosted global prices, study shows | Inflation | The Guardian
I don't think this has gotten enough press in the US, and I certainly haven't heard anything that would claw down prices or get us back some of our money.  I realize we are Republicans, and this goes against our traditional view of things, but we also have as our leader a thrice-divorced... well, secular character, so...these are not normal times.

Cardinal Gregory, and ‘dealing with’ priests (pillarcatholic.com)
I have to admit, this speaks volumes about the bishops and the Pope that they are clamping down on people who want to go to Mass -- one that is longer and more involved, in terms of both time and theology.  And then they wonder why attendance is down...  Mind you, Gregory was the guy who turned a blind eye to Cardinal McCarrick (I know, a son of Erin, shock) and his extracurriculars... which gives him even less credibility in my eyes.

Rest

 Two days without blogging.  Thursday I was just busy -- work, life, the usual.  Yesterday... don't laugh, but after J! I just...laid around a bit?  I moved the stuff in the living room so I could put the tree in, and then I just checked some stuff online and went to bed, about 10-ish.  I woke up about 9 today, which was... nice.  I mean, I should have got up sooner, but getting nine or so hours of sleep... well, that was heavenly.  I hit the gym and then bought a tree at Tractor Supply -- they had quite a number of nice ones (I always want an ugly one, they deserve good homes, too!), and $43 and change later...I had a lovely tree.  I then raced home and got all the stuff out of the attic, which I should have done yesterday.  

Anyways, I got the tree in, and... it was more than slightly crooked.  I think the trunk was a little askew (just like the one last year), but I have plenty of books, and I was able to get it balanced, if slightly off.  And, four hours later... we have the tree up.  It IS beautiful -- branches are a bit bunched, but I have plenty of ornaments on it, and it is worth it.  Always depresses me, this; the usual reasons -- I didn't do it for a while, what will happen to these things when I am gone, I wish I could keep it up longer, that sort of thing.  Also depressing -- I should have done more today -- yes, I read, and getting the tree up was an achievement, but there was much more I could have done -- dusting, bathroom cleaning (I did the dishes), floor sweeping; all of these things, nope.  I nodded off twice (which may explain why I am up now), but... oi.

Watched Army-Navy while putting up the tree.  Two things.  One, you can really tell these teams don't pass much; I think most teams would have completed a lot of those passes.  Two... I can't help but think that both teams in a conference is a bad thing.  I would argue that the option-based offenses they mostly run rely on the novelty factor, and being an independent and picking their schedules... well, you can avoid that.  Yes, you may be playing more G5 teams and such, but you can get 7 wins or so more easily.  I can see why -- for scheduling and such -- they wouldn't want to, but...

Stuff

Another GOP debate today... interesting, in a way -- not enough to move the needle, but certainly entertaining.  Chris Christie really took it to Vivek, which was good, and amusing, to say the least.  He can take solace in that while he cannot win a race, he can prevent others from doing so.  No Donald, of course, which is a problem, in some ways, but honestly... I do think most GOPers want him to be the nominee; I mean, not saying they love the guy, but you are...content with him and what he stands for.  And people certainly have their choices; any other year, this is a real race.  But now...

I realized something today...namely, that Christmas is 2.5 weeks away, and I should probably put up a tree and get the ornaments and decorations down.  I mean, the weather should be nice this weekend, so even if I do not put up the tree, I can at least get into the attic with relative comfort and get the stuff.  I could buy a tree, of course -- last year's selection was fine but a bit limited.  Also I can start on the family Xmas list, as there are some things that can be ordered online.  Funny how the holiday comes together every year.

Saw the testing lab at work today, which was quite interesting; all of the stuff they test for -- temperature extremes, mileage, speed, maximum operating conditions.  I mean, I know they test for everything, but to see how it is done and the types of scenarios we look for... I should feel safer flying, but... I think we all know I will not.

I tried to watch some shows on PBS/Ideastream, and a lot of them, I waited too long, and I am paywalled out.  I watched the one about Mitch McConnell and the Court, which was quite interesting; didn't know Roger Ailes was the one who helped him win his first election, for example.  But the rest... on the one hand, it would be $5 a month to subscribe, and you can watch anything.  On the other hand... I already pay taxes for this, so... why pay twice for stuff?  Oi!  Also watched "The Friends of Eddie Coyle," a 70s sort-of film noir starring Robert Mitchum and Peter Boyle, as well as a bunch of character actors I was able to recognize.  Interesting film...I liked it, sort of gritty, even if you could figure out the plot.

Inflation in the US isn’t the issue. High prices are here to stay. - Vox
I think the prices are the issue; people expect wages to go up every year -- you get a raise in December -- but prices were fairly stable until 2021, and they are still pretty high now.  That troubles people immensely.

Metal debris in road flattens tires of nearly half dozen cars in Westlake (news5cleveland.com)
I drove by this this morning -- literally happened in front of me!  I was in the left lane, going 70, and for once I was glad I did...felt very East Side today, seeing some idiot cause traffic crises.  Still scary, as people were ttrying to avoid catastrophe and in turn were switching lanes suddenly.

A Sense of Injustice

 Obamacare caused higher profits, worse care, and lower costs (msn.com)
Why an expanded Obamacare is even harder to repeal today - POLITICO
I am beginning to think this is the infanticide debate with us Republicans again.  To be sure... it should be repealed.  For me, of course, there were the doubling of premiums (roughly), then the whole Obamacare plan during unemployment...where it was cheaper to buy insulin outside of my plan.  Oi.  Mind you, they keep billing me, too!  I have contacted my senior Senator repeatedly about this, and I am sure he and his crack staff will beat this down like his first wife.  I realize that many people have benefitted from this, but many people have not; ask anyone who has seen their rural hospital close.  To be sure, part of the problem for us is that we NEVER get these stories out there; if anything, every GOPer should be off challenging reporters on this during every press interaction.  I am not sure that would help, to be sure, but reminding reporters that they are partisan hacks who are bad at their jobs would be wonderful in many ways.

My sister finally got the family Xmas list to me, so now I can start my shopping for the family and friends.  Funny; normally I have much of it done by now, but this year, it seems, I have just not been in the mood?  Tired?  Out of it?  Adjusting to the new career?  Busy with other things?  All of the above, but it is still no excuse.  Hell, I still need to start the bathroom project; maybe during tomorrow's GOP debate I can do some web-searching.

In other news, I start a new insulin regimen tonight, sort of.  My MD suggested that I should take my base insulin at night (rather than first thing in the morning), as it works slightly better after a few hours, which would then take effect most when my blood sugar numbers climb.  He showed some data and stats (good) that most diabetics do it this way, you can avoid the damn phenomenon, so I am intrigued.  Of course, the first few weeks there is a chance I could crash during the night and not wake up.  I told him the same thing could happen if you get a hooker with the overnight rates, which he almost appreciated.  So if this is it... 

Changes of Pace

Finished book 60 yesterday -- a 600-page social history of the British in India -- and then started something slightly different:  the first book in the Brother Cadfael series, about a Benedictine monk in the 12th century who solves mysteries.  It is good and interesting; not sure if I will read the whole series, but this is a good change of pace to what I usually read.  Of course, I will be back to nonfiction tomorrow, but... this is nice.

Dinner with some friends today -- they just bought a house in North Royalton, and they welcomed me to see the place and to say hi.  It was quite nice; just burgers and fixings, but we talked a good while and it was good to catch up, even if it was adulting and such -- work, homes and repairs, etc.  I mean, I could have gone to the gym, but like Brother Cadfael, this is a nice change.  

Went to the MD today...still not sure about the guy.  He is nice, and I do prefer the lack-of-physical touch exam, but... well, he did note that I looked stressed (semi-true) and pronounced that I seem to have an infection in my nose -- it has been sore and swollen for a couple of weeks, and he poked and prodded and said that if it had been broken, it would have healed by now.  Let's see how this works, I guess.  Some other things... well, I didn't think he was as concerned as he should be (even accounting for my hypochondria).  Nor do I want to find another MD though.  Sigh.  

The CFP story amuses me to no end.  It would be really cool if FSU said "Nah, it's not worth it, we are too offended," and decided not to play the game, especially if it was only a few hours before game time, and the talking heads would have nothing to do but discuss how they felt slighted.  Of course they won't, but it would be funny as hell if they did.

Catastrophes

No blogging yesterday; I was doing all sorts of things -- catching up on TV, some minor cleaning, going through emails and links -- and honestly nothing to report.  Today I slept in and woke up at 10:45, which was NOT the plan.  Odd; I woke up at 2:30 with a charley horse (above the knee again!) and I am not sure what happened; I guess I slept through the alarms.  Maybe I was more out than I thought.  Can't happen tomorrow, of course, as we have Mass and we cannot skip that.  Definitely cranking up the sound level tonight.  

Two main problems with sleeping in; my trip to the gym got cancelled (I had a fest this afternoon) and all of the errands I had to do then had to be shoved in quickly.  Picked up my prescription at Rite Aid -- looked very sparse there, though half of the items were not part of the fire sale.  Rarely seen a place that busy, sort of sad, actually; all of the staff indicated that they would be going elsewhere, but... one doesn't like to see that. 

Equally sad (but something I expected):  Duke losing to Georgia Tech.   The Yellow Jackets are much better than most think, but the Blue Devils lost this game; poor shot selection, lack of defensive intensity, sloppy play... very depressing, because they certainly have the talent, but the brains are sorely lacking.  Sigh.

Swing-state Muslim leaders launch campaign to ‘abandon’ Biden in 2024 - POLITICO
I think this is wonderful, but... wouldn't this throw the election to Trump and the GOP, who are... less disposed to be sympathetic to the Muslim cause?  I mean, that would be wonderful, but the Palestinians would be even worse off.  Also, eventually... won't you see a shift among Jews to the GOP if this continues?  I suspect that it wouldn't make that much of a difference, overall, but much as the solid South is now firmly Republican, I would love to see GOPers elsewhere in places never thought imaginable.