Relief

Good news -- and I hope permanently; my four-wheel drive works.  Funny; I tried to pull into my driveway and got stuck.  Back and forth, it didn't work, and out of options, I decided to try the drive...and it worked.  I backed up a bit and drove into the garage, yay!  I don't want to look at the driveway carnage, not that I had that much snow... but because I had the trucks and vans from the contractors in and out all day, it didn't get plowed -- I am not sure it needed to be, either, as I do not think we got two inches here.  But there has been a lot of action, it was a bit slick this morning, and I might have just hit a rough spot.  But, for now, it works!  Yay!

Good day -- in reverse, we had a presentation about client management software for SVDP.  Not only was it informative, but everyone had some good ideas about using the program and how we -- as a Diocese -- should be using it together.  Much more to do, of course, but it was good...even if I had to drive out the East Side.  Actually, I had been worrying about it all day, but the roads were fine.  I think the last flurries were at four, and they had time to get the roads ready, so it was... surprisingly smooth.

In the meantime, work continues on the bathroom -- all of the backerboard is hung, painting started -- and work was busy for me as well, which is fine. Next week will be busy -- and cold -- as well, which, as I told one of my coworkers, is what they are paying us to be.  Well, the busy, not the cold.

I need to get some reading done, and I need to get some films/documentaries watched.  This weekend might offer some possibilities; my Saturday morning became free, and while I may run some errands, I might decide to let the weather happen and just sit home.  I mean, I like getting out, but if the weather is meh, there is no point is doing that, is there?

An Expert in Grand Strategy Thinks Trump Is on to Something - POLITICO
I am not exactly convinced, but nor am I completely appalled; I am not sure that Greenland is the prize everyone thinks it is, but it does have some significance for it, and it would not be the worst if we had it, instead of... an ostensibly NATO ally, ahem.

Senses and Concerns

Odd; yesterday I felt like crap most of the day, until late, at which time I felt awesome, or at least I couldn't sleep.  The same thing is happening now, which is odd and annoying; also, there are plenty of things I want/have to do tonight.  Alas.  And, of course, work was busy -- in a good way today -- and will be the rest of the week, which is a good thing.  There is also progress to the house; bathroom passed two inspections (electrical and plumbing), the tub is in, the painter is coming tomorrow, and the new lines were installed for the sink and the toilet.  In theory, the inspections being over, we can start with the painting and walls and such.  Of course, I will believe it when I see it, but...I can see where this is going.

Today was busy... in addition to work, there was a big Hunger Network meeting, where all sorts of things were discussed, including potential changes, actual, changes, concerns about the future.  One, demand is up.  Resources are up, albeit not at the rate of costs.  There is talk of not forcing people to reveal their addresses when registering... some people on the West Side (especially where Latino populations are a substantial clientele) are for it, given their fear that the Big Orange police are coming to deport everyone.  There was quite a bit of pushback on this, especially from the East Side locales (mainly African-American) who pointed out there are problems with this, namely people will figure out ways to take advantage of this and run them out of business.  I was vastly amused by all of this, of course.  I realize the liberal bent of most of the people involved, so...

This evening we had a tour of the Olmsted Falls Community Food Pantry, which offers clients the choice to shop for their items.  That's the preferred choice, and it works in a lot of ways.  But... most food pantries that do this are open a couple of times a week, and handle a lot fewer clients than we do (they also have more space, I think).  So there is much to consider, though I think we could do it, and fairly easily; it would be a matter of getting our clients to conform to the new system.  On the way home...well, on the way there I opted to engage the 4-wheel drive, not that it was that bad, but people were driving like idiots, so... so you can imagine my surprise when tried to turn on the 4WD on the way home but I could not.  I hope it is just snow in the adjustment, because if not.... oi.

Biden’s Final Medal Winners Are Accomplished, Admirable — and Proof of His Political Failure - POLITICO
This is a valid point, namely, how could a GOP President give anyone this medal, given the embarrassing company they will be sharing it with?  For all the talk of Rush... the current list is, by and large, mostly shameful.

Brian Kelly claims everyone misinterpreted Notre Dame comments
hahaha!

Why Poor American Kids Are So Likely to Become Poor Adults - The Atlantic
Interesting, but could it also be that the lessons poor children learn prepare them for a life of poverty, due to bad habits/lack of education/indifferent parents?  I do not think we can discount this fully...

Retrenchment and Reform

You know, for the middle of January, it is quite nice out there -- cold but not terribly so, warm enough that the snow is melting, the icicles are dripping...should be like that tomorrow, as well, which will be nice.  I did an Aldi run and it seemed like everyone and their brother was hitting the stores, which is... good.  Less good is my health; didn't sleep well last night, attended a Latino-themed (including cuisine) fundraiser, and between the two... well, my stomach is a little rumbly, I am a little cold and tired, and am I am trying to plow through.  I am doing the pile of laundry, just to try and move around a bit, as well as some cleaning and such.  There will be a big clean after the bathroom is done, but if I can get some of the minor mess out of the house, it would... be nice.  I should try to get to bed early, but I think we all know what will happen there.

 Property tax reforms may address local government inequities.
Is this necessarily a bad thing?  I am not sure that it is.  People feel the need to cut back -- shit costs too much -- and I think it is more than fair to imagine that maybe, just maybe, government is a part of the problem.  If so, then (by cutting it) it is also part of the solution, and that is...more than fair.  Honestly, it should be a combination of cost cuts (including salaries!) and a reduction of services.  The fact of the matter is, we can't afford to do everything, and in consequence something needs to go, especially if people don't want to pay for it.  I always come back to healthcare -- government is completed entwined with it, but no one thinks it is really that better or cheaper.  I mean -- how we will deliver it, how we measure outcomes -- that certainly needs to be fixed!  I don't think money is the solution, either.

Medicaid, ACA, climate measures on GOP chopping block - POLITICO
Speak of the devil!  Like DOGE, I don't think they will do one-tenth of what they want to do, but if they can get that done...well, I will be more than impressed.  And pleased!

Americans Are Tipping Less Than They Have in Years - WSJ
Similarly, this is not a surprise.  It's not that tipping is too high (though it is) but 1) everyone expects it nowadays; and 2) service isn't exactly better (if anything it is worse).  No wants to pay more for that!

Catching Up

Well, that was an exciting football game last night...the Ryan Dan coaching for his job tour continues!  I have to admit, with all of the penalties and self-destruction, you felt that OSU was done, but the defense held just enough, and despite an intermittent run game at best (Woody must be spinning)...well, off to face Notre Dame.  Think not about the carbon emissions to fly these teams across the country...when they are a state apart.

Is it me, or is there less snow out there this morning than expected?  I am not complaining -- I suspect I will get another snow plowing today -- but I expected more, and I think all we got is an extended dusting.  They are saying we might have a melt (barely) in the next couple of days, which would be... nice?  I mean, not that we have feet of snow lining the driveway, but there comes a point when you need a bit less.  Hell, my furnace could use a respite!

Bathroom work progresses... there is a new tub in there.  They were here yesterday, fixing the rusty and leaky drain in the basement; that took a bit of work, and it was odd and interesting to see a flurry of labor at 3PM on a Friday.  Inspections next week (gulp), followed by a bit of an accelerated pace -- two craftsmen here simultaneously, which is a good thing, but it is a small bathroom, so it will be a tight fit.  My sister and I agreed that it is a pain to be living out of my kitchen, but... it will be so worth it.  Hell, when I think about the next stuff I want to do... it is addictive in a way.

Trump transition considering Washington D.C.-area showcase immigration raid in first days of administration
I don't know; I am not opposed to this, but there should be an initial focus on the worst of the lot...and there will also be significant labor disruptions.  I don't think this is being seriously considered, but unless we force native-born Americans (such as SNAP recipients, etc.) into the workplace (and we will need to train them, at the very least, to say nothing of transportation and child care)... we will be worse off than when we began.

Plowing Through

Sad news; one of the founders of the OC is in intensive care and faces a crucial period... the news really hit me hard, because 1) I have known the guy for two decades, almost and 2) It was sort of sudden.  This is not good, of course, and... well, one doesn't really know what to do or say but to offer prayer and sympathies.  And, of course, that he pulls through.  But, I think the thing to do is to just carry on...

Watched most of the Cavs game tonight -- the first time I have watched a pro basketball game in a long time.  It was entertaining, I will give you that.  I guess they have good offenses, but it seems that defense is... highly selective, if you get my drift.  But if the fans want it, so be it, right?

Progress continues on the bathroom -- subfloor down, fan and new wiring installed (never had a fan before!), bottom tub component in, ceiling re-installed, that sort of thing.  Much more to go, of course, but it is pretty cool to see the progress.  I mean, the house is 70 years old, and thus stuff is... well, not exactly up to code, or at least the modern code.  We often joke that in some ways, stuff was built better then; the wood was higher quality, and they are doing very little to frame, unless they absolutely have to.  The subfloor was old and had to be redone, but the floor supports -- nope!  I guess this is good... for all that I joke about a car being replaced piece by piece...well, a slightly older home is in the same boat.

I have been cold all day; some of this is of course that the doors were open for most of the day -- the garage door was, and the workers were trucking through, too.  Nor have I slept all that well, and I can sense that I am tired, and thus cold.   Some glorious day there will be a whole week of much high-quality sleep, but not anytime soon!

It hasn't been a banner week for Democratic politicians; Joe Biden had his presser with the USA Today, Kamala had sad-face on the 6th (never mind that I was forced to watch what was once a formality), and Karen Bass, mayor of LA... well, her performance in the clips has been impressive.  The GOP should call her to Congress (or back) and ask what the hell she was doing, and it would be entertaining at the least...

Digging and Digging

Progress on the bathroom; the electrician came today and there are new lights (no fixtures) and a fan (which I never had before); yesterday the carpenter was there to replace the subfloor, which was 70 years old and showing its age, if you get my drift.  I of course would prefer faster progress, but I know things progress at their own time, and, of course, I should have done this years ago!  Slow and steady works as long as it is done.  

I have to admit, I found it amusing that the President-elect is talking about sending in the tanks to take Greenland, the Panama Canal, etc.; all these new states!  The Gulf of America?  Who knew?  More seriously, this muscular foreign policy is showing everyone that a new sheriff is in town, and while I do not exactly think we will buying Greenland soon, I am less troubled by this than a lot of other people...

About halfway through The Princes in the Tower, and I am finally getting to the good stuff, if you will; namely, that by looking at Continental European sources (stuff literally dug out from the archives in the Low Countries), the princes -- Edward V and Richard, Duke of York -- made it to the continent and tried to regain their throne.  I haven't finished the book, but the fact that there are printed sources out there...well, that is pretty cool.  Obviously, they need to look for more, but given the... highly suspicious nature of Henry VII, if you get my drift, it would not have been surprising that he would suppressed any evidence about this, no matter what...

Running About

Dare I say that I do not exactly feel well?  Odd... didn't sleep well last night (or long), capped off by, while walking up the steps from going to the bathroom, I just felt...nauseous and lightheaded.  I made it up the stairs, had some water, then had a snack (the low blood sugar alarm was going off), and felt better, but...anyways, I was certainly feeling the lack of sleep today.  But, that did not stop me from having a full day (also why I feel like crap).  Mass, the OC for a bit, gym (back and shoulders), a friend's brunch, Communion and house blessing with my Polish friend in Edgewater, then off to deliver the last Christmas present (the look on my friend's son' face was immeasurable), and then I decided to do a gym double (I am fat), so legs and a good cardio ride, then dinner at Mission BBQ (I had a coupon).  It was good, then I came home.  Rah.  Now I have just crashed; stomach a little rumbly and a bit fatigued, so early to bed (I hope).  On the other hand, what good is life if it is not lived to the fullest?

Is it me, or are the latest round of Presidential Medal of Freedom winners...embarrassing, even for Dems?  I mean, if the least objectionable ones are Jane Goddall and the dead people... and, no one on the GOP -- or very few -- are calling this out publicly.  I mean, the Sunday shows should have had a drumbeat of them -- calling out their failures, their corruption, their divisiveness -- but crickets.  Again, they should be used as evidence of Biden's mental decline -- to be aired at every Congressional hearing, followed by calling up every reporter who didn't report on this.  But they won't.  Sigh.

I think discretion will be the better part of valor and my streak of documentary watching will end.  Last night I watched one about Oscar Micheaux, the African-American filmmaker -- mainly silents, but also some talkies.  Quite interesting -- almost no one knows about him, but he was incredibly important, and his films do hold up (I have seen but 4, a discredit upon myself!), even now... and of course, he was making films when few African-Americans were doing so, and covering topics that no one else did...

Feeling Behind

 Got a late start this morning -- slept in a bit, handled some correspondence, and it turned out that errands didn't begin until 10.  Funny, with no OC duty...well, I can get a lot of stuff done!  Good workout at the gym -- much needed, and I need to hit it harder, then the bank, the library, Kohl's for track pants, a couple of grocery stores (I do love my Aldi runs), and then home.  Dare I say -- as I told my teller this morning -- that some of the people on the roads should not have been on them?  On the one hand, they were mostly good, on the other, with the snow largely stopped, shouldn't they be perfect?  OK, maybe not, given that there were still flurries about til a couple of hours ago.  Anyways, it was almost three by time I was finally home and had put everything away, save for the track pants, which I left in the car.  Oops.

Bit odd, as I definitely feel myself dragging now; probably a mix of not enough rest, extra hustle and bustle, and a lack of caffeinated beverages (just two so far).  I do need to fix that; I have some more stuff I want to do, watch another documentary, read some more, etc.  Tomorrow is Sunday and then a full week of work, which will really make the transition to 2025 -- in so far as we have one -- complete.  I have to admit, I have been getting rid of bookmarks, and the email inbox is slightly emptier than usual, which is... well, to me, good!

Cutting Government Is Easy... If You Go After McKinsey
I just read the McKinsey book, so this is timely.  I don't think they will, but we should.  Nothing would impress me more if we actually cut some spending; I mean, we in the GOP talk about it all the time, but we never do it, and I know we have a narrow majority, but it is a majority in both houses, so...

‘You Guys Are Screwing It All Up’: Trump Quashes Revolt Against Speaker Johnson | RealClearPolitics
Dare I say that Trump is correct, and if it took him to get on the phone and crack heads... so be it.  I really think he wants to implement as much of the GOP agenda as possible, and it cannot be done unless we have a Speaker -- with freedom to operate -- and time to get it done.

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted emerges as the late favorite for Vance's Senate seat
Interesting.  I didn't think he wanted the job -- he could have had it at any time -- but maybe between the President getting involved and the fact that he doesn't actually have to run for election for a while...well, I can see it.  It would shuffle the deck on the gubernatorial succession, but that might not be a bad thing.

A politically diverse church aims to stay united in a polarized era - The Washington Post
Interesting, but...as I like to say, I deal with idiots all the time, and at the end of the day, there are some places where I want to be free of morons, and Sunday morning might just be one of those times.

A Sense of Progress

Progress continues on the bathroom!  It looks pretty stripped in there now, actually; everything seems to be out, including much of the drywall -- pretty much just studs now.  Carpenter will come Monday to finish the demo and start on the next steps, mainly adjusting the exposed studs (where the pony wall was) and rebuilding some of the framework around the shower and the ceiling.  I guess this is good; I am not tired yet of going downstairs to use the bathroom, as if anything, I am fat and need the steps!  

My plans for tomorrow were cancelled, and this is...fine.  Funny; I have been home the past two days -- Thursday I wasn't feeling well and thus skipped the gym and stayed in, even getting a bit more sleep.  Today, of course, I wasn't going anywhere due to the weather; I mean, it was coming down a few times today (my driveway was plowed, even!), and I decided that discretion was the better part of valor.  My Mom used to complain when she didn't get out for a few days, and I can see that, as I now feel the same way (sort of); I want to get an Aldi run in, I want to hit the grocery store, maybe a few other errands, to say nothing of the gym.  And do some contract work... and, of course, maybe watch some films.  

Today's film was "The Lost King," about the discovery of the remains of Richard III.  Quite good -- basically he was found by an amateur historian who -- derided by everyone in the profession -- did the legwork and tracked down some of the possible places he ended up.  Also told in the film is the revisionist history of Richard III -- not a hunchback, maybe not so evil as put out by Shakespeare and others, etc.  Funny; I watched the PBS special about the historian's next cause -- what happened to the Princes in the Tower -- and lo and behold, the next book on the pile is hers about this (hint:  she thinks they lived).  Awesome, even if people are not as sold on this.  I need to finish my current tome today, not only to get some reading done, but to start the next one.

The Speaker vote today....is it me, or was this a bit of unnecessary drama?  I mean, we really don't have the votes for this, and with POTUS behind Johnson... I do get the point that the "rebels" have about cutting deals with Dems, cutting spending, etc., but I think the man has done the best he could, and now, with the narrow GOP majority, we might be able to achieve some things.  I don't necessarily things are better, but I would like to think the gravity of the situation, if you will, will impel them to do things -- and to be smart about doing them.  

Smashing Successes

New year!  Back to work!  It was good; I caught up on some things, did some document reading, made some comments, did some research, and got ready to do some detail work tomorrow.  Also, demo continued on the bathroom -- the toilet is gone, the tub and shower are gone, much of the walls are gone, the ceiling and the soffit are gone.  The carpenter will be here tomorrow to remove -- safely -- what needs to go for improvements and such - for instance, they had a pony wall where the stud is (that projects out), so that needs to be addressed.  I was talking with the crew and they were telling me things -- oddities of 50s construction that work better than the modern stuff -- which of course I duly noted.  The only downside was the cold -- they were taking stuff outside, the garage was open all day -- and I could feel it.  I just hope it gets done soon, given my impatience.

Journos who joined gaslighting on Biden's decline should never live it down
Yes, this should happen.  Will it?  I doubt it, though it would be awesome if some GOP politico started quoting what they said about Biden during an interview and put them through the ringer.  Congressional hearings -- we have a majority tomorrow, in theory -- would be even better, but of course I am not holding out for that. 

Watched another documentary today:  "Conqueror:  American Fallout," which is about a few things at once -- the results of nuclear testing on people -- not only residents of Utah and their future generations, but also the cast and the crew of "The Conqueror," the John Wayne as Genghis Khan clunker.  It was quite interesting, mainly because 1) the US government had to be dragged into admitting they poisoned and lied to their own people and 2) even they actors on the film realized something went wrong...now, they did mention that everyone smoked -- a lot, in some cases -- and that could be a source of cancer; indeed, I think a lot of them felt that, but the fact that no one thought to warn/alert/prevent this... well, the swamp cannot be drained soon enough.

One thing I am missing (for now); one, I am brushing my teeth over the kitchen sink because I am too lazy (not really) to go downstairs.  Two, I usually change into my night clothes in the bathroom (the warmest room in the house) but as that is a war zone... we change in the bedroom, and it is a bit nippy!  I always think of Thomas Jefferson waking up and putting his feet in a bucket of ice water every day... then I think of into what else he was dipping, and I decide that he might not be the best role model.  Of course, he was a Democrat...

Duck Soup

And here we are in 2025!  Very exciting.  Sunday vibe today -- woke up early, went to Mass (Holy Day of Obligation, reminds the public school graduate), gym, couple of friends, my sister's for lunch, then home, but I stopped to clean the garage and make some room for the work crews for the bathroom; basically they want space for storing stuff (and maybe work) so I moved some of the random crap on the left side of the garage.  Some empty boxes to be taken to the recycling bins or used here, some crap to be thrown away... eventually I got cold and stopped, but I will do a bit tomorrow.  Funny; I have been talking about cleaning the garage for a while -- time, effort, practicality being reasons against -- but now I can do at least the basics.  Ok, slothful, not funny, but...

I got home -- if you will -- to watch the Buckeyes, and, like everyone else in Ohio (and elsewhere), I had to ask... where was this against Michigan?  I mean, I do not have psychotic obsession some fans do -- my team beats their rivals sometimes -- but it was glaring, jarring, and simply to consider what this team has done recently...mind you, Michigan -- playing backups, it seems -- beat Alabama, capping off a good week for the Big Ten against the SEC and quenching (for three days) the discussion that 'Bama should have been in the playoff.  It could be that on some level Ryan Day is coaching for his job, and that is...good.

I watched a documentary about "Freaks and Geeks" last nite, and it was quite good and interesting.  I remember watching the show -- intermittently -- in college, and on the one hand, I was like "Gee, I should watch it all again," as it certainly had star power, and I remember liking it.  On the other hand, I have more than enough to watch as it is!  Then I got to thinking that two of the shows I liked -- "Arrested Development" and then "Freaks and Geeks" -- were not exactly network favorites.  This says something about me, I am sure.  I guess the one network president was correct -- some shows, good as they may be, should not be on network television.

Another documentary I watched tonight was "This Is Not Financial Advice,: which basically follows a bunch of people who trade in crypto, and the... vast swings and lifestyle changes it brings.  It was interesting, though my thoughts were 1) If people want to gamble away their money, we should let them, as we do for casinos, booze, and cigarettes; and 2) I guess I do not have the stones to weather the ups and downs, and that is ok.

The idea that the latest terrorist attack was done by an American... on the one hand, I think we all know that Trump is going to run with this, and to be sure, we do need to secure the border...and this will make it easier for him to do so, and ban Muslims, and all of the greatest hits from term one.  On the other hand...something is wrong if Americans are going over to ISIS, and I am not sure how we can cure that.