Mattie is Sleepy

I am just...tired.   Not sure why.  Ok, I do know why, as I don't sleep enough and had a busy day... OC duty today.  We really didn't have enough volunteers -- a couple short, I think -- but we managed.  Funny; our SVDP Chairman came by for a visit and he dug in, helping to run food bags.  He had not been to the OC before, so it was good to see him visit. We were steady busy -- the count was 126 -- and while we didn't have a zoo, there were almost always people there, which was fine.  We got rid of all of the produce (the goal), our accumulated eggs and milk, and nearly all of the fish in the freezer.  I tried to save it so we had enough for everyone who wanted some, and that is about every other week.  I think about 100 wanted it, the rest of course gave Mom-like looks, which I got a kick out of...

Anyways, then it was gym, errands, and home, where I caught up on the backlog of emails, with a break for the good parts of "Kelly's Heroes," which was on TCM... I do enjoy the movie; the plot is quite audacious, and has a good mix of combat scenes and antihero...  anyways, here I am now.  Bit tired, bit cold, but at odds with myself.  I should just go read for a bit and off to bed, but I will instead go and try to clear out more stuff... I think today at the OC put me in the mood, as it was windy and unseasonably cool...not quite warmed up all day.

Why economists should like booze
I sort of see this, but no one thinks of the bad parts of alcohol -- the poor decision making, the DUIs and their impacts, the people who use it as a medication, etc.  I am a non-drinker so my bias is somewhat evident, but...

Trump’s week of crypto embrace continues despite ethics red flags - POLITICO
I don't know.  I think this is poor policy for Trump to be involved in this -- huge ethical challenges, even for him -- and with all of the pardons for corrupt government officials, this doesn't help.  On the other hand, we let people gamble in every way shape and form every time (including with booze) so I am not sure we can keep people from doing this, so we may as well as how set up the guidelines now.  I think crypto is a scam but there is a class of people who want to partake, so...

Linx

 Musk is gone. But DOGE staffers are still trying to cut through agencies. - POLITICO

I don't know what to think about this.  Is there more government spending to be cut?  Of course.  I mean, considering that the #3 thing is the budget is interest on debt, we are going to have cut a lot more, as no one seems to have any gumption for revenue increases -- though again, the issue isn't the revenues, it is the spending.  On the other hand... well, if Elon Musk can't fix the problem, who can?  It bodes incredibly poorly that one of the world's most brilliant people -- he invented the electric car industry, for Christ's sake -- gets run out of town on a rail...

How Donald Trump Has Remade America’s Political Landscape - The New York Times
This is pretty cool, though I really do not think we can assume this is permanent.  I mean, the Dems might get smart and solve their troubles, the GOP's new coalition relies on the government spending we need to cut, they are new voters and the bonds of affection aren't permanent (and are highly dependent on Trump)...and, given the narrowness of our margins, even a slight erosion of them could cause losses.  Yes, the growth is in the red counties (and a lot of them)... 

‘He Is Ohio’: DeWine Pitches an Alternative to Ramaswamy - POLITICO
I have to admit, it is a pretty good move by DeWine to counter Vivek's rise (which, for the record, I do not think is a good thing, as I think he is quite vulnerable; the ads can write themselves against him, at the very least)... pick a guy who could be more popular than him, and DeWine found one.  Brilliant!  Of course, he has to run for it, and I am not seeing any evidence that he wants to.  I think he could win the primary -- he seems genial, Vivek does not -- and thus the general, but he would have to start now to do so.  

Dare I say the weather was beautiful today and it seems to be holding all weekend -- maybe a bit cool but sunny, absolutely no rain...what more do you need? I got outside for a bit -- if just to get the mail and take in the garbage and recycle bins -- but it was quite nice, and I couldn't help but think what I did last weekend -- take a couple of walks -- might be a good idea this weekend as well.  The only issue is that for a weekend with little planned, stuff is piling up, and I haven't really done anything but to say "Gee, that would be a good idea." And here we are.  Sigh.

Gestures of Pettiness

I didn't realize the J! Masters were tonight -- two days in a row is fine though it does affect some things on the schedule.  Getting more than half and the Finals was as good as it gets, given the categories, the difficulty of the questions, and the speed of answers.  It is depressing but I am not the man I once was (or the one I imagined, indeed).  At least I can go through the most recent Games magazine, which arrived this past weekend (I raced through the last one; getting the contest answer was...inspired, and I will leave it at that).  Small victories at chateaux Mattie, I tell you!

I note that the skin on the knuckle of my middle finger is dry and scratchy.  Odd.  Last week I had a couple of water blisters, which I of course popped, and now it looks suspiciously unpleasant.  I suspect, like many other things, a proper few nights of sleep would solve this, followed by my actually using some sort of skin softener, but my alpha male tendencies -- feeble as they are -- manifest themselves sometimes.

Dare I say that the story in Cleveland Heights is hilarious?  I do!  I mean, especially because it is in that bastion of tolerance and progressivism, the PSRCH.  You would think GOPers around here -- or anywhere -- would be piling it on, but I guess I will have to carry the mantle myself...and I will do so gladly.  Nothing would amuse me more if Pam Bondi or some state agency opened an investigation, even if we all know that Governor RINO will be absolutely nothing.  Alas.  Even better would be for some journalist to poke around and dig up supporters of the mayor, as you can bet your dupa there are plenty of people out there who still believe the guy.

My blood sugar has been running high the past few days, and I am not exactly sure why.  It could be one of those things, it could be stress, or it could be some weird dietary quirk; I bought a watermelon a few days ago, and it could be sweeter than I think, and that could be playing with the numbers (but I do not think so). It is odd, unsettling, and annoying.  I have an appointment coming up with the new endocrinologist, so he might have some ideas, but in the meantime I am shooting up extra insulin and looking for ways to exercise more, like meandering around the house while reading (pages are pages!), which has the added benefit of burning 12 extra calories.  Course, I am the guy who adds my 30 cents in spare change to every HELOC payment, so....

Productivity

Funny; after J! I had tried to watch one of the programs I had on Tivo, and lo and behold, I nodded off, so... I will have to watch again tomorrow.  Sigh.  I know I am tired and need the rest, but here I am now, not sleeping.  Today was good, though; double gym day (I am 181 pounds, and want to keep it that way, thank you very much), finished book 20, cut the grass, did some work to catch up for Friday, moved and went through a bit of stuff in the garage, and even broke out the new George Foreman grill my sister got me.  I have to admit... the thing is a wonder.  I mean, it cooks very quickly, fairly well, easy to use and clean... really, it is impressive.  

Back to me, I got a lot of stuff done this weekend, but there was more I could have done, and wanted to do, and for reasons, I didn't.  Sigh.  I guess that is life; I remember reading that Michelangelo, on his deathbed, said that he had only done 1/10th of what he had wanted to achieve, and I get that...I guess someday I will retire and I can catch up, but...not bloody likely.  For example, I need to get a display/bookcase to move some baseball-related stuff downstairs (no need to showcase it now) and this in turn would give me space for a bookcase in the library for the stuff that is piled up on the shelves.  Did I get any?  No.  

The Coming Democratic Civil War
This amuses me, mainly because it is a problem entirely created by them.  More seriously, we in the GOP should be on them for this -- look at what you have caused -- and I think we are too busy fighting over the big, beautiful bill to be doing some counter-attacking.  I guess that is my preference -- hitting them while they are down, but I cannot help but think we could be doing more.

Democratic troubles revive debate over left-wing buzzwords
Again, another problem of their creation, and something you could say that Trump and the GOP exploited in 2024.  I would say that Trump -- like Obama and Clinton and Reagan -- is just good at talking to people (some of them) in a certain way and thus has a natural constituency.  It is not a natural skill, and is somewhat rare, and that is part of the problem... sort of like what Jefferson Davis said about Confederate generals; he had Lee in the ANV, but that was it, and he needed four more.  Well, no one has them, often enough.

Side note:  I just started my next book -- El Norte, about the hidden history (if you will) of Spanish North America, and it opens with a discussion of the use of "Latinx," so maybe they will never learn this lesson, and that would be awful.

Doug Wilson: The New Right's Favorite Pastor - POLITICO
This seems...interesting?  Odd?  Cutting it a bit fine in how you define this?  It is an interesting phrase, "Christ or Chaos," though I do not think many people mind some chaos, which is the problem with these things...

The Long Weekend

Here I am, catching up after a weekend that was busy and productive, though not as much as I would have liked.  For instance, I finished one book and am halfway through another one, but I had wanted to get that one completely read.  I went through 4 of the 5 boxes I pulled down out of the attic -- I could have done all 5.  I watched "The Thin Man" (saved on Tivo) but there are more to go.  And so on.  Alas.  At least I have done some things, I guess.  I mean, getting rid of crap is nice.  Reading is good.  Took a couple of walks today (high blood sugar, and the nice day made me want to go out), keeping my weight at the 180 level (which I like).  Polished off some links and bookmarks.  Did some cleaning Friday and Saturday (the kitchen floor has yet to meet the Swiffer, though).  Hung out with a couple of friends.  I mean, it is Memorial Day weekend, so rest and amusement, at least, are part of the order of the day.

I have to admit, one downside of cleaning and going through crap is figuring what exactly to do with stuff.  Some can be pitched or recycled or donated, but the rest... beats me.  I mean, I sort of want it but not really, and then I have to store, and then the question is where (right back in the attic), and at that point, one is like "no."  For all of my talk of "If you can't decide the answer is both," I should be a bit more killer-like when it comes to minimally valuable possessions.  On the other hand, I came this close to recycling the brochures from family trips, and then I decided that maybe, just maybe, they were worthy of keeping.  Half of me tells me I should move to other things, and half says a return trip to the attic is needed to purge more.  Oi.

In other news, I have been quite religious about taking stuff to the compost pile.  I cut up a watermelon today, and all of the detritus went in, and yesterday I meet sweet corn, and all of the cornsilk and such went in (as have the cobs after I ate the corn).  Ditto for any apple cores and orange and grapefruit peels. Mind you, I have not the green thumb, so it is not like I will use any compost.  I guess it is better than putting it in the trash and more aesthetic than tossing it in the front yard, but sometimes I impress myself.

I decided to treat myself and Saturday went to Bob's Hamburg in Akron (on my list).  It is far but not that far (only a mile off the highway) and it was quite good -- the outside is a bit off-putting, and the area has a Slavic Village vibe, but the food was delicious... simple stuff but done well.  The sort of place Mom would have bitched about until she got there, and then she would have loved it, which is actually a good as recommendation as any.

Mehness

 It was a meh day...I woke up early to buy pop and stuff on sale at Acme, and of course they didn't have any diet, and the one thing they rang up wrong at the auto check out (on sale but not, oi).  Funny; my sister was there, saw my truck, and told me I have no life... which is true.  She had an equally unpleasant time.  I should just shop there less... anyways, I will try to do some early shopping tomorrow, too.  Then it was a full day of work -- lots of stuff going on -- and a good workout at the gym.  But, my blood sugar climbed during the day (not sure why) so I had to shoot up again...anyways, then home.  Tivo swallowed one my queued J! Masters episodes (oi) and then I had a couple of phone calls about food pantry stuff, about which I am not worrying, for reasons.  Here we are now.

It has been a crappy weather day.  Rained -- often hard.  Dark.  Dreary.  Windy.  Cold.  More tomorrow.  Not putting on the furnace, but it seems very late for hoodie weather.  It does affect the mood (along with everything else).  Hell, I noticed dripping from the car while gassing up and did a double take before I realized it was just precipitation.  But still unsettling...

'It betrays our values': Progressives grapple with deadly shooting - POLITICO
Democrats have values?  No one actually believes this.  Hell, they have been calling for violence from day one against Israeli, and as always, no one is going to call them out about it or punish them.  I do not necessarily blame them, but I do not like it, of course.

Speaking of not liking it, sort of, the GOP House passed a budget last nite.  For all the kvetching about it (including mine) it does say something about Mike Johnson that it got passed, even with all of the Trump finessing (if you will).  The Senate will rip it to shreds of course but the GOP might actually get some of its priorities done at the end of the day.

Deadlocked Supreme Court won’t allow nation’s first public religious charter school - POLITICO
Dare I say that this is a good thing?  I guess I have never been a fan of shoveling cash hand over foot to private schools, even with the crappy job the public schools are doing.  I am a First Amendment absolutist at the end of the day...

Single, Young and Conservative: These People Want to ‘Make America Hot Again’ - WSJ
This is actually funny as hell...

Milestones

Funny; today is the last day that my blog posts will be in line with the year, as barring catastrophe, I -- like the Voyager space probes -- will pass through the universe of time, if you will.  Interesting if not terribly practical.  Somewhat more practical is that I weighed in at the gym today at 179.4 pounds -- my goal has always been to be 180 or below.  No, I don't think this will last -- I am planning on some restaurant tourism this weekend, and maybe starting summer with a cherry cordial blizzard from Doc's Shake Shoppe -- but it is pretty cool.  Like the weather (and the rain).  More to the point, I should at least try to keep at the 180 level!  At the very least I can pace around the house some more and cut back on lunches. 

Sheetz files legal actions against Broadview Heights for rejecting plan for gas station at East Wallings & Broadview - cleveland.com
I could walk there from my house (I used to do for my prescriptions), which would not be good for the diet, at the very least.   I had no idea this fight was going on, and I am impressed -- it seems like Sheetz learned from the Boston Heights fiasco and is going to the mattresses.  Honestly, I think we need housing --  nationally, locally, anywhere -- so I would think the smartest thing to do would be to change the zoning to allow it.  Of course, that will never fly.  

Mind you, I don't know if Sheetz is a good fit here -- the lot seems small for a Sheetz, and yes, it would attract all sorts of people there.  On the other hand, no development is a bad choice, and we could use something there, and a Sheetz is not an unattractive choice.  And, let's face it, if the city didn't want them. they should have found someone else to develop the property.  It seems like they are doing anything but intelligent design (ha!) and now we have this.  

WHAT HAPPENED IN 2024 | Catalist
This is political nerdporn, so of course I loved every second of it.  This also explains why I am single...

Labors

For reasons, I went to the gym after J! (the regular one -- I saved the Masters games for later) tonight.  While there are some things about this I do not like --  my traditional schedule is work, J! and dinner, and then the rest of the night -- there are some positives about this.  One, there are fewer people there, so you can get to machines and such.  Two, there is a younger crowd there, which spurs me to work out more and harder -- they are in shape, and I can be as well.  Well, in theory.  I think we all know that ship has sailed, but today, when I stepped on the scale... 179.4 pounds.  Splice the main brace!  More seriously, I am not sure why; my blood sugar has been a little all over, so maybe my evening walks -- exercise is cheaper than insulin -- are helping.  I am eating a bit better, which is also good -- I stocked up on fruits and veggies, and they really are the best for filling up cheaply and nutritionally.  I mean, I am a diabetic, and I do know this, but sometimes practicality and reality meet.

Will the House pass a bill?  The President is correct, in some ways -- you have to pass a bill, both wings of the party will need to eat the shit sandwich -- and of course the Senate is going to tear it up.  On the other hand, the conservatives are correct -- there could be more, and punting things like Medicaid work requirements down the road are simply crap.  Will we get them?  Probably not, between the moderates and the Senate.  But we could if Trump was behind it, and I am not sure that he is.

‘Out of the banality’ - Cordileone on liturgical reform
I think he is 100%; yes, he is on my side of Catholicism, but anyone who runs afoul of Francisism is a friend of mine.  More seriously, Salvatore hits it on the head; Catholics are feeling unwelcome in their own parishes, and for all the talk of Francis being a welcoming Pope... well, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

We're Still Slowly Learning How Polynesian Voyagers Navigated Entire Oceans : ScienceAlert
This is simply fascinating to me, and the idea that anyone could still think they navigated by dumb luck...well, that is ludicrous to me, and I suspect it was racism that made it a concept in the first place.  Oi!

Progress

Not sure what happened last night, but I crashed hard...sort of.  I went to bed at like 11:30 and then for a while I just could not fall asleep.  Until, of course, I did.  I didn't exactly sleep long, but it was well enough, though I lagged a bit this afternoon.  Now, of course, I am raring to go, which is not exactly good. At least the day was fairly productive -- sent out some emails, worked on a bunch of projects, made progress on others, read a couple of articles, etc.  I didn't stop til 7, so no gym (ugh) but I took a 3-mile jaunt after J!, which was invigorating, despite it being a bit cold.  I was 181 lbs at the gym yesterday, and I feel as if I need to keep that up...

I watched the Liberty - Texas A&M softball doubleheader yesterday.  I will admit that I am not exactly a fan -- it's not baseball (yes, ironic), and all of the chants and post-out huggy bear stuff is annoying.  On the other hand, those games were incredibly compelling; LU came from 4 down in the bottom of the 7th to tie, then coughed up 3 in the eighth.  Then game 2 (double elimination here) where LU came from behind to take the lead and held on.  And that was that.  Even if I did not have a fondness for Liberty...well, taking out the #1 overall seed is pretty cool.

Worsening SNAP’s Harsh Work Requirement Would Take Food Assistance Away From Millions of Low-Income People | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Two things here.  First of all, anyone who thinks that people are taking their SNAP benefits and buying healthy food is full of it.  Second, anyone who goes out shopping cannot help but notice all of the checkouts available bit not staffed.... doesn't anyone think that some of these people who have to work might go there?  I guess I would position this as a way to free up people otherwise not working to work -- contributing to taxes and SS and such -- is that as more people enter the working world, they might hava shot.

Home

So, here I am, home.  I was not supposed to be -- it is reunion weekend at OWU, and I was supposed to be there.  But...Friday when I went to gas up the Behemoth...well, instead of going in the tank, the gas went like Niagara Falls onto the pavement.  Oops.  I think the tube has rotted away.  Ugh.  So it will be taken in Monday.  I have gas in it, and I can drive it, I just cannot refuel it (and in consequence I am driving very carefully).  So discretion is the better part of valor and I am home.  Sigh.  I mean, I was looking forward to getting away and seeing some people again (but not all), but..,we will survive.  I am not exactly looking forward to another car repair; my sister pointed out that this might the time to say no mas on car repair, and while I am not ready now... well, I might have to.  Don't really want to, but...

To make up for it, I did some cleaning.  I noticed that the place was dusty, so I poked around online.... in addition to regular vacuuming (I should), a bunch of sites suggested opening the windows to get cross-ventilation and using a damp cloth to pick up the dust.  So I tried it today!  I vacuumed and dusted the living room, the spare room, the bedroom, and the kitchen (especially the table).  It is quite a bit nicer here; there is no reason not to do this more, at the very least.  I had to take 20 extra trips to the kitchen sink to rinse off and wring the wet cloth, but I think it was worth it.  

OC duty today -- 135, and honestly, it wasn't too bad.  I had ordered less produce than usual (we are closed next week) and while we have apples left (they will keep) all else went, which was good.  Most of the extra stuff went (part of the plan), we got rid of the random pet food, adult diapers, etc.  The people were pretty chill, mostly; a few people were minor pains, and some of the volunteers did not follow protocol (why have rules if we don't follow them, of course) but it was fine.  The clothing room was emptied (always a plus).  The weekend off will be good and I expect a full crowd.

Other than that, I have been on hiatus of sorts -- helping out with a fundraiser dinner, catching up on work, and the usual.  Joy.

House GOP hard-liners digging in on Medicaid work requirements - Live Updates - POLITICO
This could be me, but how on earth can you call yourself a Republican if you don't support this immediately? I mean, I can see how Democrats would be opposed to this -- they don't care, and if they are too stupid to notice (or care) that the President is a drooling moron, why would they care about financial stability, common sense, etc.  But for people who claim to be Republicans are opposed to this -- and without any sense of providing an alternative -- we may as well fold up shop and go home.  Sigh.

More Bemusement

 I think my life is designed for someone else's amusement sometimes.  Ok,, most times.

Much as I hate to admit it, I am getting older, and I am now at the age where my MD thinks I should submit to testing...back there.  I couldn't get a colonoscopy scheduled due to insurance stuff (not that I raced to get it done) so he sent me a Cologuard kit.  Poop in a box, joy, but it beats the alternative.  Fine, save for one minor problem -- I couldn't provide the sample last night and for a while this morning.  Fruit and coffee were tried (repeatedly), but it was not until this morning that we had a "Mission Accomplished" moment.  I will note that I do not exactly feel...well, my digestive system -- which normally works quite well -- has been difficult today.  Oi. 

I guess I could have made a Taco Bell run, but... I had stuff to do, like nearly finish the 400-page book on Medieval Philosophy I have been working on for two weeks.  (I will finish today.)  I guess I knew less about the subject than I thought, though I got an advanced crash course.  It was interesting, though it is not quite my favorite or strongest subject.  I have stacked the book list with some smaller and easier works so as to not fall too far behind.  I note that the CCPL is stopping their interlibrary loan program for a few months.  This is not good -- I rather like reading the hefty tomes you can only get at colleges -- but it is (hopefully) temporary and maybe I can downshift to other works that are faster to get through.  Alas.

THE COLUMN: American Caesar - Michael Walsh at The Pipeline
I think this is exactly right?  Hopeful watching and waiting, but... if he is not Francis, or at least Francis-lite, he will be...ok.

This Republican has long wanted to overhaul Medicaid. Now he has to sell members on a compromise - POLITICO
This could be me, but at this point, some reform is better than none, even though we need real and serious reform to do so.  I think the Donald should have encouraged more taxes on the wealthy, as we need the revenue, but the issue is the spending.  Like booze and crack, the solution to more federal spending is more federal spending, until, of course, it isn't.

Waiting

I can't help but notice that this year's infestation of critters is twofold.  The ants are coming in the kitchen window (as they do every year); not a lot, mind you, but of course if I had not had to replace the pipes in back, I could have started them by now.  Alas.  I have reinforced the cornmeal and sprayed outside, but there are still a couple every day that come through.  Oi.  In the meantime, I have killed three spiders in the house -- tiny ones, but that is new.  Odd.  I do not like it.  I know it is an older and gappy home (for now), but... it is not quite what I want to see in Chateau Mattie.

Good day -- productive, lots of meetings, more to do tomorrow, but stuff off the inbox -- both at work and at home.  I realize that this is an unending thing for me, but... the rain kept me inside, and I need to do re-string the trimmer and handle the ditch.  Tomorrow is another day, but I need to get off my whatever and do it.  I mean, it is not getting any lower or looking any better.

I went to bed right at 11 last night, woke up at 6:30 -- so a full night of rest for me.  I don't really feel better.  I suspect one night of this is simply a gasconade; you need to do it consistently to take hold, which I will try to do, but I had expected to be all vim and vigor, and at the end of the day... well, nothing really.  The only thing I did notice was that my blood sugar was high all day.  Not sure why... I ate normally and such.  Sometimes it happens, to be sure, but that, like national finances, is just unsustainable.

Trump Is Already Obsessed With the Midterms - POLITICO
This could be me, but...isn't this wise?  Good policy?  Even without the threat of perpetual investigation, I would think that having a GOP Congress would be better for POTUS (and the US as a whole), and Trump certainly knows this... which is an improvement over 45.

'It's time for Joe Biden to go away': Democrats are triggered by Biden's return to the spotlight - POLITICO
Related to the above point, wouldn't the best thing for the GOP to do is NOT let them get away with it?  Not letting them move on?  Finding out what else they are hiding?  I would think hearings and such would be ideal, but we seem to be uninterested... I realize there are other things going on, but...

Mattie is Bemused

I didn't weedwhack today, and while I will probably regret it tomorrow when I am doing it...well, maybe it is good I did.  Just tired and off to bed soon.  I have been feeling it a few hours, and I suspect that once I do hit the hay it will soon be repose, which is what I really seem to need.

Seeing all the trade stuff, it does bring credence to the idea that Trump pulled this to confront China, and if it works...well, his genius really does know no bounds.  Certainly the stock market approves of the moves (which indicates again that this was just a negotiating ploy), and if we see more of these trade deals...well, the Trump Administration could use a stretch with good headlines.  Hell, the man got the last US hostage out of Gaza, and now is the time to really light up Hamas, even though we know they will not.  I am sure my liberal friends will be less than pleased when I tell them that man has won yet another quiet victory...

First game of Learned League today.  Six questions to answer, but you assign their point values not on the likelihood that you get them correct, but as to the likelihood that your opponent will.  In other words, if you think they will know it, it's worth zero to them, but if you think it is a triple stumper... it is worth more.  Cool in a way.  We will see what it says about my mental decline...

An isolated John Fetterman clashes with colleagues and staff as he skips his Senate duties
How is he different than Joe Biden?  Or, less politely, are there any Democrats who do not have any mental illness issues/  I mean, yes, they do, they are Democrats, but more seriously, if they can't figure out that the guys deserve to be put on the farm....

Flurries of activity

Busy weekend, which explains why I am blogging now; I thought about blogging last night but I ended up crashing.  Alas!   Anyways, Friday was the Four Eagles Dinner, which was... nice.  Very busy.  Lots of good grub (I have leftover pickle soup, of all things, quite nice), lots of good people...hope it was a good fundraiser.  But a late night by the time I got home and whatnot.

Yesterday was OC duty...beautiful weather, especially compared to last week -- perfect temperature, minimal breeze, etc.  Crowd was 138; seemed more.  Most of the cars had only one family, which I think it was like that -- lots of trips to cars and such.  Also, for some reasons, it was social hour with this crew, and people were chatting and all, with the result that I had to walk/run more to get people served...  we did close at 12, and even if I had to haul all the rubbish out... it was fine.  The shelves are bare (as expected) so the order will be immense.  Our ops manager was there (trying to train her on how to run the show up front) and she was panicking about this; I don't know... I mean, we do order for this, you know, and the point is we run low before the order and then stock up.  Especially given how some of these things will be less available and such.  Oi.

Anyways, then gym, errands, coffee with a friend, and home, where I baked some brownies for next week's City Music Concert (we are selling refreshments to boost the roof fund), just chilled and crashed.  I haven't bought eggs in a while, and with the prices...well, I won't be buying them for a while, but for the Church... Not slept long or well lately, and it is showing... even today I am dragging a bit, but I powered through -- Mass, May crowning (no rose petals, alas, but still quite nice), bullcrap after Mass, gym, errands, and a visit to my sister.  Rah!  Home now where I am going through the backlog of emails and such before work a bit.  I think I am going to walk outside -- beautiful out there, perfect weather, and I am going to enjoy it and get some Vitamin D.

Jim Banks: A Trade Warrior After Trump’s Own Heart | RealClearPolitics
Interesting article.  Like many in the GOP (I suspect) I am still skeptical of the trade war (or at least fighting one without getting our industrial system up and running first) but this is a good perspective as to why it could work.  

Republicans want to shift safety-net costs to states. It’s not going over well. - POLITICO
This could be me, but if the whole thing is unsustainable, then no amount of tinkering or gamemanship will fix it.  I can see why the states would like the current system, as they reap the benefits without absorbing the costs, but that is a pile of crap also.  No one -- certainly not our worthless paper -- seems to want to mention this.  And that is sort of the crux of the issue...

Habemus Papae Americae!

Well, that was unexpected!  An American Pope, and on the third round of voting.  Who would have thought it?  Certainly not I!  Dare I say that it certainly put a spring in my step?  Or, should I say, for now, because:

Leo is America’s first pope. His worldview appears at odds with ‘America First.’ - POLITICO
I mean, if we get Francis-lite, it's an improvement, albeit not really, in the winning the Special Olympics way.  One sees the social media and one worries, but then one reads about how moderate he is -- sort of like the last guy, but less so, more traditional, more Papal, more diplomatic, not a Jesuit (an Augustinian; guess I need to brush up), etc.  As one friend and I discussed, if the whole concept is "He is better than the last guy," he is, and that is fine, but it's also hunting dairy cattle, and that is NOT fine.  I guess I am willing to give him a chance to see what we are getting.

GOP may be closer than ever to enacting a massive rule-busting bill - POLITICO
Dare I say that this is a good thing?  I don't think we will cut spending enough, but some reforms are better than none, less government spending is good, and if we can enact some actual conservative policies... at the end of the day you have to take your wins when you can, and this just might be it.  To use the previous example, something is better than nothing, and while it is not that fine, it is... fine enough for now.

‘He needs to resign’: Democrats react with quiet shock to damning John Fetterman profile
Is it me, or is this the third Dem this week about which we have had questions about their mental health?  There was the rep in CO, Joe Biden is back, and now this -- mind you, there have been questions about him since Day One, and the Dems voted for him anyways, so... but the same people who said Joe Biden was all there were also the ones saying that he was all there, and at the end of the day.... the GOP should be pressing them and reminding them -- and the people as a whole -- about this every day.  

Getting out

I didn't watch the Cavs tonight, but it was on at the gym (I went after J!) and I listened in the car on the way home because it was strangely compelling.  I couldn't tell if they threw the game away (as a Duke fan, one has plenty of experience with this) or if there was some conspiracy of officiating, as the Cavs radio team seemed to think.  To be sure, Tim Donaghy did not become a household name for nothing.  Anyways, I messaged a couple of friends to see if there were on suicide watch, and they have yet to respond, so maybe I triggered them?  This would cost me moments of sleep, I assure you.

I am not exactly a fan of the late gym trip, but work called -- much to do -- and this way I get to watch J!  Also, there is a younger crowd at the gym at that time, which is good -- fewer old people to hang around on the machines, bullshit, etc.  These kids also go in groups, so they are not camped on the phone -- they are there to work out!  Dare I say that it is one thing when women do it, but men really should know better!  But at night...far and fewer.  

My truck has been sounding a bit like a tank, so I took it in...and I needed new bearings.  I was quoted a big sum and a date tomorrow to get it, so I was quite surprised to get a call this PM -- it was done and they found a cheaper part.  It still stings -- paying off the credit card will affect the HELOC repayment schedule -- but it is fixed and that is the thing.  I thought today seriously about replacing the Behemoth... I would prefer not to right now, for reasons, but...sooner or later it will have to be done, but I would like to cut some debt down first.  I guess I can always cut expenses, though I sometimes think that my frugality is leading us into recession.  Also -- hitting the gym late tonight took away my plan to clean the bathroom, which needs to be done, as does reading, cleaning the kitchen, doing some paperwork, and a dozen other things!

Truth, Myth or Both? Getting History Right in Battle of Britain :: SteynOnline
Funny; for all of the war movies I have seen, I have not watched this one.  But I probably should!

House Republicans plan major SNAP food aid overhaul in Trump megabill - Live Updates - POLITICO
Dare I say that this is...long overdue?  I mean, I don't think it will have broad and sweeping changes the GOP thinks it will, but...for many reasons this is a good idea.

Catching Up

I do need to get back into the habit of daily posting, don't I?  Anyways, it was a busy weekend, and at the end of the days, I just crashed.  Alas!  Saturday was OC duty -- I am one of the co-managers -- and it was fine.  I mean, the clients were fine -- 149 -- and we cleared out nearly all of the produce (as we were supposed to do) as well as some other stuff.  The main problem was the rain; it rained pretty much all morning, and I was just soaked.  I had a couple of errands to run (Aldi, etc.) and then I just came home, put my clothes in the dryer, and took a long hot shower, which felt... good.  Then I caught up on some work and other things.  Joy.

Sunday was busy... after Mass I hauled dupa to Holy Name, where I was putting on our second annual Cuyahoga East District Mass and Brunch.  I was able to put everything together -- tables, place settings, set up the grub when it arrived -- and I think it went fairly well.  Would have liked more parishes and people there, but...we had about 30, and we even had a good impromptu meeting after.  Much good stuff was discussed!  I had leftovers for my sister, my Communion visitor, and the house... then it was off to Edgewater to take Communion to my new friend, off to my sister's for a brief visit, and then home, where I did some work and caught up on stuff.  Good, but all of the running...well, I have been feeling it yesterday and today.

Today was fine -- just busy with work, meetings, and other things, in addition to the usual work.  I have to admit, a breakfast of Communion leftovers was sort of nice, even if I do not usually eat like that, and I am looking forward to the return to grapefruit.  The weather has been impressive -- while I didn't exactly appreciate the cut-ins during J!, I can see it -- and the rain has been at times heavy here.  Others have had it worse.  If the only real negative effect is that I have to wait to take the watermelon peelings to the compost pile... we will survive.

Marco Rubio's swift rise to a central spot in Trump's orbit
Is this a bad thing? I don't think it is; between Rubio and Bessant, there are some good horses at the top of the ticket, if you get my drift...

It's Gonna Be May

Hard to believe it is May already; we were joking at work today that we have a May 6 deadline, and it is...next week.  Oi.  I mean, we will make it but... phew.  I guess the weather finally broke.  Indeed, the skies have really opened up the past couple of days; we have heavy storms today and the power went out/flickered a bit.  I immediately went into "save every 30 seconds" mode which was annoying but the work losses were minimal.  Phew.  In the meantime, I have been quite busy with work, so... no posting til now.  I had a fundraiser dinner tonight, got home late-ish, and now I cannot sleep.  Sigh.

My sister and I had our monthly dinner Wednesday, and as it was Cleveland Taco Week, I suggested we go.  She picked Ghost Pepper in Berea.  Good; I mean, tacos and chips and salsa for $10.  We had to sit at the bar (which was fine, though it did not seem like the place one needs a reservation) and I think I would go back; I mean, it was good, but the restaurant list is not shrinking, if you get my drift.  I have to admit, it's not that expensive, but you are not exactly full, either; I guess, when I go out (rarely) I want to feel like Mr. Creosote.

Campus Reform | Gen Z flocks to Catholicism in search of 'truth' and 'order' as young people reject leftism
Interesting.  I am seeing some younger people at the Shrine; not sure if they like the pretty church, the more traditional approach we take, or something else... but it is good.  I am not saying I want a Latin Mass but...

Last night I stayed up to end out the emails for 1) Our East District meeting and the latest report from Downtown and 2) The follow-up from our quarterly food pantry manager meeting.  The latter was sort of funny.  First a lot of the people were aflutter about cuts to Medicaid, food pantry aid, etc.; it was all I could do not to remind them of the sign off I-77 that shows our national debt (total and per person), which...well, considering that debt service is approaching our #3 item in the budget...well, that is NOT sustainable.  Then they had some reps from the Food Bank to answer questions about produce.  I was somewhat sympathetic to their side -- they get produce that is mainly beyond ripe, they have to handle it some more, etc., -- but they seem to have time and money for all sorts of crap (including the CEO jetting off to the SOTU), so if they cannot solve this...well, I was underwhelmed.  The other thing that amused me is that... well, people still seem to forget that this affordability crisis was caused by Bidenomics, and I as I like to say...for once the people who voted for something have to pay for it, and for once, it is... glorious in its own way.