Mattie is Productive

I slept in a bit today, and while I probably needed it, I have to admit I felt a little discombobulated; I like to get up early and get things done, as there is then more time the rest of the day to do Matt things.  Anyways, a good workout, Aldi, Marc's, the bank (gotta start paying the HELOC down again), my sister's, the library, and Bakery 57 (I got a gift card for Christmas, and I deserved a treat after my travel ordeal).  I was thinking of doing some culinary adventuring, but I think I will wait til I feel better and it is a little less cold.  

Also, I have been trying to go through the pantry and freezer.  Ate some turkey soup last weekend, and today I made the box of Rice-a-Roni (Lord knows how it got here) that was in the cupboard.  Never had much luck cooking rice, but this was...surprisingly easy?  Put the rice in the pot, add the spice and butter (I would use less if I did it again), then the water.  It did cook down, and it was...pretty good?  Bit salty.  I think I can get three meals out of it, which is nice -- I need to lose weight, and economy is good.  I have been going through my bag of potatoes in the fridge, and half a baked potato is a good lunch portion.  This will not last, for many reasons, but for now...it's fine.  

Watched film 858 today, the 83-second "Dog and the Tramp," a silent short just added to the NFR.  It was...fine?  Cute?  Tramp steals pie, dog attacks tramp, mess ensues.  Not exactly sure if it is NFR-worthy, but it is cute, and I suspect it is fairly difficult to look at all the old footage (that we somehow saved) and deciding what is really better than something else.  More to the point, I feel like watching films -- both on the NFR and from the various other places I have saved -- and striking while the iron is hot is the way to go.

I am about halfway through my next book, Keeping the Faith, which is about the Monkey Trial (should have read it last year).  The author is taking her time to get there -- biographical sketches about Bryan and Darrow (interesting), cultural history (largely interesting if a bit digressive), and theological debates (a smattering).  The author is clearly on one side of the debate, which is not surprising, but then you have to wonder how objective she will be.  I picked up three large tomes at the library today, so I should probably find a way to turn the pages a bit more rapidly...

The Sense of Progress

Funny; I am sick with this cold and wanted to try and find/watch some films, but here we are...  work was long this week, albeit productive.  In consequence, I had some stuff to catch up on, and I just finished most of it -- SVDP stuff, food pantry stuff, clearing out Tivo of J! episodes, etc.  I will note that I largely agree with the idea of an exhibition/warmup game between seeded J! champions, but I will also say that these games do take away from the regular season and cost people a chance to play.  And wit the contestant pool as full as it is...

I finished book 6 today, one about baseball stadiums -- their layouts, designs, etc.  It was interesting but sort of... vestigial?  I mean, we all know why, and in some ways, I had no idea what the book mentioned.  Even my history knowledge is slipping away, and that is... ok, I guess.

My suitcase finally arrived today, but I have been so busy that I have yet to crack it open.  Stuff just kept popping up, and in some ways I don't want to know what carnage is inside.  Of course, I need to get the library books out, charge the razor, recover my prayer cards, etc...  It will be done -- I have been trying to read a bit more and adding the books to the pile will do some encouragement.

Grapefruit was on sale at Meijer last week and this week at Aldi.  As we know, I rather love them, and I finished my first one today... and it was delicious.  Right mix of tart and sweet, good size... I will be eating these things for about two weeks, and I really cannot complain.  My sister marvels that my breakfast is just fruit and milk -- no protein! -- but to me it minimizes carbs and is a good way to add a serving of fruit to my diet, so...why not?

The Spanish Church’s fight against human trafficking and prostitution
Interesting and good -- quite the ministry we need.  Reading the article I couldn't help but think of Gladstone...hard to believe his wife worked with him on that ministry (bringing prostitutes home and trying to reform them).  Nowadays no one would believe that there were anything but impure motives there, but back then, publicly at least, no one (publicly) questioned his efforts, and in some ways, it was a better time...

Movies

Last night I was just tired and crashed.  I am not exactly surprised by this now, though yesterday I was.  But, considering my stressful Monday, two plane rides, and minimal sleep -- to say nothing of the cold trek -- I guess I should be pleased that I escaped with only a cold and a lack of sleep.  This morning I woke up (I am back to 3 blankets with the cold) and it just felt so good and warm under the blankets I was tempted to go back to bed, but... adulting is hard.  I have plenty to day Saturday and we all know how I like to get up and do it, but I am tempted to just sleep in a bit.  Of course, I have stuff to do, books to read, crap to go through, etc.

"Shane" was on TCM tonight and I had to watch; I mean, the movie has a few problems -- the annoying kid at the end (sad story), the near-adultery between Jean Arthur and Alan Ladd -- but as a Western, it is easily among my top 5.  Classic good vs. evil, excellent bar fight in the middle, awesome gunfight at the end.  Even the moral lesson at the end -- maybe a bit preachy -- rings true even today.  

GOP pitches student loan repayment as Americans struggle to keep up with bills - POLITICO
I don't know, I understand times are tough, but they borrowed the money, and they should pay it back?  I and millions of others somehow managed to pay down our student loans, and they cannot?  Yes, we need to make college more affordable, but I am sure that throwing more money at it and buying off loans is NOT the approach.  I don't know, it is sort of like all the school districts complaining about running out of calamity days.  I mean, either you use them and tack on days at the end of the year, or you tell the parents to bundle their kids up?  Neither option is exactly pleasant, but children should be in school (did we not learn the lesson of the pandemic?), and if we tack on a week in June... well, remember this then.

How $16B in earmarks evaded conservative ire — and helped clinch a funding deal - POLITICO
This could be me, but aren't we supposed to be Republicans?  Fiscal responsibility is what we stand for, sometimes, right?  And the fact that so many of us are ok with it... just makes my head spin.

Browns fan creates petition calling for ownership accountability - cleveland.com
This could be, but wouldn't the best way to demand accountability is to not show up and spend money?  A petition is nice but... not exactly pushing the envelope.

Library Names 25 Films to the National Film Registry for Preservation
Finally!  Interesting and odd choices (but prolly better than some of the DEI ones of recent vintage).  I have seen six of these -- I am going to re-watch "Glory" because why not -- and I have read Ten Nights in a Bar-room, but I have not seen "White Christmas" or "The Karate Kid."  I should watch the Linklater trilogy.  Funny, I have gotten away with trying to watch them -- the Interlibrary Loan shutdown has largely crimped this -- but there is no reason now not to re-start my efforts.  Save for my usual sloth.

The Odyssey of Mattie Agonistes

So, this week is my company's annual meeting -- held in San Diego this year -- and I should be there.  But, I am home.  Here is my story:

I was skeptical I would get out of the CLE Monday with the weather, but the snow seemed to clear Sunday night (mostly) and the flight (Cleveland, Charlotte, San Diego) was NOT cancelled.  So, mindful of the less-than-salted roads, I set off for the airport -- had to park long-term as my sister's driveway was not plowed.  First time I ever used it, but...whatever.  I also decided to pack my winter coat in the suitcase once I arrived at the airport (but I kept my gloves and lock deicer).  While driving, the flight was delayed a bit, then a bit more.  OK; I had some time, and I figured I would try to eat and dined at Bar Symon, supposedly good -- and it was.  I forgot how tasty the rosemary fries are!  Anyways, they kept pushing back the Charlotte flight, and eventually it was pushed back to make me late in Charlotte.  The helpful gate agent was able to get me to O'Hare on a 3PM flight and a similar connection to San Diego.  Fine!

Not a huge fan of the quick hop, but it was smooth.  When I arrived at O'Hare, my flight to SDN was delayed by like three more hours -- to an 11PM departure.  Oi!  And it kept getting delayed -- 11:30, 12, 12:30; 1 AM.  They told us that they couldn't find a flight crew for it; we pointed out this was beyond redeye time and we would need only one person to give us blankets and pillows.  Then the flight was cancelled -- at 1 AM! -- and then there was a mad rush to find a gate agent.  I then decided that going to San Diego tomorrow would be fooling -- I would miss half the meeting and then have to fly home, and I have real work to do.  So I decided to go home.  The gate staff gave a bunch of us some passes to call someone.  I did, and I soon discovered the only open flight was a 4:30 PM one.  But, I could fly standby at 8AM.  By this time, all gate agents were gone, so I broke down, went to the 24/7 Dunkin, got a late dinner, and tried to sleep/read/walk around.  

Morning came and I found a helpful gate agent (to be sure the staff was mostly helpful) and there were indeed seats on the 8AM flight, so I moved myself to that and there was a nice and smooth flight home.  But -- and I expected this -- my suitcase was NOT on the carousel.  No one at American seemed to know where it was, as it had yet to land.  I despair of seeing it again!  Anyways, thankful that I kept my gloves, I took a shivery walk to the long-term lot, where -- mercy of mercies -- the Behemoth started up.  The roads were mostly good; 480 a bit off, 77 beautiful, and you can tell the difference between Parma and other suburbs.  I stopped at Walgreen's to pick up prescriptions and then at Arby's to get the $7.49 box special (pretty good; been a while since I had an Arby's roast beef!).  Then home to eat, shower, change clothes, and brush my teeth.  I was feeling fine now but am quite sleepy though not so tired to plan on watching J!.

All I can say is that was....largely a waste?  I mean, I skipped the meeting, missed a day and a half of real work, spent cash (to be reimbursed but...), stressed myself out, and am out a suitcase full of stuff including my razor (I have a spare but still), some library books, my prayer cards, and some clothes.    I did eat at a place on the list and read all of Rick Atkinson's The British are Coming (quite good, as expected) and started the next, but...sigh.  I do not think I will do this again if there are weather-related travel issues; my ardor for being a good coworker offset by solid practicality.

‘Brain the size of a walnut’: Bessent goes off on Newsom - POLITICO
This is pretty good, and -- as I so often say -- we are blessed to have him on our team.  

Snow day

Not only did I not leave the house today, but the only time I even thought about going outside was when I threw my orange peels and apple cores outside, and that was quite enough -- not that windy, but very cold and there was plenty of snow.  My plow person arrived about 4, and it was most impressive, as there was a LOT of snow; I can easily see 8 or nine inches (I will measure tomorrow).  Supposedly it will end by midnight and hopefully they can plow clear.  I was fascinated by all the stores that announced they were closing at 4; I guess it is good to do it during the break, but...making people go in during the first/worst round...that's ok.

So, another person has been killed in Minneapolis.  On the one hand, we don't want people -- especially actual American citizens -- getting killed.  On the other hand... I am not sure that was is going on, protest-wise, is...legitimate?  Running up to someone with a gun is not exactly a wise choice, and I suspect that you really can't tell in real time whether it is a camera/phone or gun.  Certainly, a threat assessment is going to be...fragmented.  Both sides are correct in that they need to de-escalate, but will they?  How can you?  If the feds pull out it will be seen (rightfully) as a retreat, and if the protestors go home... the same.  Not that you can negotiate with these people.  I give the Administration credit for the aggressive defense of their actions, but...then again, with the press, it is a hostile reaction across the board.

The Elite College Suing Its Own Star Quarterback - WSJ
This story gets better and better!  To be sure, there is something to this; if you give a bunch of money to someone, you expect them to stick around, and if they want to leave, they should pay, right?  In some ways, this is a normal business deal...of course, it isn't, for now.  Again, the NCAA should be the one setting rules about this, but... in the meantime, the lawyers will rule.

Have We Become so Cynical, so Jaded, That $9 Billion in Fraud Against the Taxpayer Isn't a Huge Issue? – PJ Media

Many have said that I am jaded and cynical, so I saw this headline and had to dig into the article... and this is largely correct.  There is something to be said for the right-wing argument that all of the protests are ginned up to protect the money machine.  I realize we are well-past the Everett Dirksen comment about a billion here, a billion there, soon you are talking real money...but if there is not an accounting, and punishment, and reform... 

Change is in the air...

Interesting day today -- I was doing stuff I normally do not do.  First was OC duty -- we decided that we couldn't close and thus, despite the cold, we were open.  I woke up early and packed on the layers -- two long sleeve shirts, two hoodies (double hoods are warmer), a sweatshirt, and my winter coat.  And... we needed people in the back to pack bags and thus I spent the day in unheated but warmer garage.  We were not that busy at first, but ended with 94.  People didn't show up early -- and we barely had 10 walkers -- but after a while I think people realized it was ok enough to get out.  So that was a change!

Then I went to lunch; The Pierogi Lady had a popup in the Village and I decided to check it out.  She was running out of some pierogi but I picked up the Polish trio for lunch and some frozen pierogi for later.  The halushki was ok -- way top much pepper, a shame -- but the pierogi and the chicken paprikash (we all know how I love that) was very solid, and for $16... it was quite worth it.  The only downside it was all takeout, and I prefer to eat it there, pop-up or not.  

Home for a couple of hours, where I caught up on stuff and did some things, and then I decided -- for the first time in a decade -- to go to Saturday Mass.  One, the weather, and two, I have some work to do tomorrow, and I didn't want to stress driving to and from Church.  I ended up being the EM -- just like the usual -- and there were several of my fellow 8:30 Massgoers there (we teased ourselves about "skipping).  It was nice but a bit odd; normally I get to Mass early and see the sun come up through the stained glass windows.  Now, of course, it started light and got dark.  Odd.

Then it was home to catch up on stuff, read, do a spot of work, and wonder how much snow we are going to get.  I do not plan on going out tomorrow -- hence the whole Mass change -- but it is not going to be pleasant tomorrow with the wind, snow, and cold.  I was thinking about all of the people who do have to be out -- all the people at the grocery store, the gas station, the healthcare people, the road crews, the fast food and restaurant workers... on the one hand, a lot of these places don't need to be open, but on the hand, after a long day of snow-plowing and such, you might want to get out of the truck and have a meal.  Hard to close in such a scenario...hell, especially with the salt shortage.  I can see not salting until the snow stops, but...

Mattie posts

Behold the power of global warming!  It is going to be...cold, quite frankly, for the next week, especially tonight and tomorrow.  I got a blast of arctic air when the breeze hit me while tossing the apple core outside.  Yowzah.  It was a day of several cups of coffee and gladness that I did my windows.  Actually, I also thought how nice it was that I did the bathroom, too; between the two, the home is... more livable?  Certainly more comfortable -- no more running downstairs to shower, no more ice on the windows, no freezing bedroom.  Yes, I have to pay this down, but once it is....well, more to do.  At least the closets are cleaner and dustless. 

I was so busy at work this week that I didn't have time to watch J!, so tonight I made sure I watched Monday and Tuesday.  Questions are harder, and the categories on Tuesday were not my favorites, but I survived.  Anime isn't something I am going to start watching, if you get my drift. There is a weekend to watch the remainder, but this is something I do not want to continue.  The project is due next week, so...calmness might ensue then.  

Funny; I went through some emails and such, and I was like...well, this is nice, but then I looked at the pile of links bookmarked, and the books I have to read, and I was like...get to work.  I guess being shut in the house this weekend might put me on the path to that.   

Mattie eats out

Didn't post yesterday -- long day, and I decided to get out of the house and enjoy Cleveland Pierogi Week by going to the only place that did not have only potato-cheddar pierogi (which I do not like and are NOT Polish), Immigrant Son Brewing in Lakewood.  It's sort of off the beaten path, even for Lakewood, and the parking lot was a hot mess -- I should have realized that I and everyone else was going out on the one good night this week/month.  Anyways, I arrived and they were OUT OF CHICKEN PAPRIKASH PIEROGI.  Oi.  Anyways, I went with the breakfast pierogi and the goulash, and while it was good... it wasn't quite worth what I paid for it.  Of course, so is everything else nowadays, and there were some interesting things on the menu I would try if I did...  

I have to admit, the roads were fairly sketch on the way home; it was snowing and raining at the same time, and the roads weren't treated, so we were skidding about a bit on the way home.  Thankfully, few were on the roads, but... at least they were clear this morning.  And, of course, this weekend there will be cold weather and the mother of all snowstorms.  Sigh.  This is where at first career I would be asking people about this so-called global warming...

Funny; there has been a lot of stuff in the right-wing press about what is going on in VA now -- the new governor signing a bunch of interesting bills, to put it one way.  This could be me, but shouldn't the GOP here be working to capitalize on this?  Similarly, for states like CA and IL, making laws and crafting tax policies to attract residents and businesses from those states?  To be sure, while the legislature is at fault, where is the governor here?  He could certainly be in the lead here, or, even better, working with Vivek to get some stuff going on.  Considering we cannot even ban traffic cameras, I am not expecting much, but this is the sort of thing that would be easy to do, get publicity, etc...  It does we are just in cruise control, and to me that is the worst of all possible speeds...

Intrusions

So, off to the hematologist today to try and solve the anemia that has been the bete noire of my primary care physician.  The MD was nice and answered all my questions, which counts for something, nowadays; he has no idea why I have this anemia (Not related to diabetes or anything else).  He suspects it is more that I am not absorbing the iron I do intake, and the solution is... an iron infusion.  I told him I was not exactly a fan of yet another invasive procedure, but he assured me that I might need only one, or at least one for a few years.  So it is now in the hands of the insurer and the scheduler.  Or, I had better NOT need more than one, or I will be an unhappy camper.  Alas.

The Miami-KSU game was intense; KSU was down at the half, took the lead, lost it, Miami tied it late, and then won in OT.  Thought about going, but was busy at work -- had to make up the time -- and the good seats were sold out, and it was probably good I did not, as I had stuff to do.  Alas.  But watching it was close enough; you could tell there was a good and active crowd, the game was compelling, and now Miami's SOS went up to...363.

It pains me to say this, but I am not exactly sure what the end game is for POTUS with all of this talk of Greenland.  I would think that Denmark being part of NATO should be access enough -- both in terms of the military and its mineral resources (in so far as they are).  Mind you, the markets have settled as tariffs have receded, people see more price stability, and oil prices are fairly modest, as evinced by gas prices.  I am not opposed to gunboat diplomacy or adding territory, but...we must be highly judicious about it.  And when I think of "highly judicious," I think of Donald Trump...

vittorio on X: "Why Young Women Moved Left While Young Men Stayed Sane" / X
The author of this post is correct; one, I don't know how to solve this, either, and two, you defend your positions the more strenuously even if they are failing, because sometimes, that is all you have.  There are days I wonder why I am single, but after reading this one... today is not it.

Earmarks Are Back. So Are Republican Fights About Them. - NOTUS — News of the United States
Much like traffic cameras, I do not know why or how these are legal, and the fact any Republican supports them is beyond disgraceful...

Mattie Shivers

Took the blogging night off yesterday, as I crashed on the floor while reading and woke up at 1:30.  I guess I got a decent amount of sleep between the two rests -- one on the floor and one in bed -- which was good, as I needed it today.  Long day of work -- lots of meetings, then an online meeting with the MD's pharmacist to go over my prescriptions (2) and mineral supplements (2).  Ok, it was a bit more involved than that, but... and lots of work.  Trying to get the project done, lots of little things popping up, late data arrivals from elsewhere... I am hoping to finish a bunch of things tomorrow to facilitate many other things.  Oi.  

It is cold.  I mean, this is obvious, but I really felt it when throwing the apple core outside; it was cold and windy all day -- with some occasional snow showers -- and the snow seems to be over, now we have cold and wind.  I note that many schools already cancelled for tomorrow, and as much as I have "20 miles uphill both ways" syndrome, it does seem a bit rough to have kids out in -20 wind chills.  I know parents (some) have to scramble, but I cannot think that the alternative is any better...

Why Are Credit Card Rates So High? - A Wealth of Common Sense
You know, I don't quite buy this; I do to any extent but now, one would think they can model loss rates, bad debts, etc., and most of this is simply taking money from people who don't get it or why can't pay more than the minimums anyway.  Considering the profits large banks made -- and a significant share of said profits come from credit card users -- I think it is right and just that someone cracks down on this.  I find it is fascinating that it is a Republican suggesting it, which leads to wonder what exactly the CFPB and its minions are for.  I think it would be far more profitable -- politically and otherwise -- for POTUS to go to war with banks instead of Greenland, but what do I know...

Travels and Travails

I have had a busy day!  Hit the gym this morning, then off to the bank to make a principal-only payment to the mortgage (one of most psychologically pleasing things to do for me), off to the OC for a brief moment, and then off to East Cleveland to see the Ozanam Center there; it moved to a new site that is not as convenient, and I wanted to see the site for myself.  It is off the main road (compared to the old site), off the bus line, and... the entrance is a looooong walk from the parking area.  They have runners with carts, but if you are walking with food bags, or even have to walk to the car...whoa.  The landlord will not let them use the front door, so they have that.  They have several rooms -- one for clothing, one for food, one for food packing -- but they literally have to set up and take down, as the building is used for other things.  Because of the moves and the site, their counts are low, and all are sort of at a loss as to how to get them up.  I have some ideas.  Or, I had some ideas, but what I saw...

Anyways, the streets around there are...choppy, to put it mildly, and the snow did NOT help.  I avoided most chuckholes but found a couple.  Oi.  I was most pleased when I got on the highway... had lunch at Dibella's -- never been, had to go to Independence anyways -- and it was good not great?  Sandwich was a gooey delicious mess.  Then back to the gym for leg day, a couple of grocery stores (forgot to buy coffee, oops), and then home, where I boiled some eggs.  Did NOT do laundry, but tomorrow is another day.  Caught up on some work, did some reading, and here we are....

Man, it is going to be cold this week; I know it is winter, but when today is the best day for four days... funny; I left the Wittman Center in a blizzard -- not too bad, and it passed quickly, but it was a little hairy there.  But south of downtown, it was completely clean.  Odd.  I was thinking they really need to clean the roads, as they will be getting colder and icier, and salt works less well....not that I am worried about my driveway, but my front steps... should probably break the ice up.

The Same New York Times That Called Trump a ‘Nazi’ and ‘Fascist' Objects to THIS Hateful Word for Women – PJ Media
This is hilarious; I know like two dozen people who could qualify for this sobriquet immediately, and I could pull together a few more with minimal thought.  But we really need to use it, and with abandon...

Snippets

I am going to bed early tonight -- yes, it is ridiculous to be doing so on a Friday night, but it has been a long week, I am a bit tired, I have plenty to do this weekend, and it is cold.  While it has stopped snowing, it is a bit nippy, and the snow is piled up (and too cold for it to disappear).  So discretion is a better part of valor, and here we are.

We Went Shopping for the $3 Dinner—and Actually Found It - WSJ
Funny; my sister said this was nothing to be proud of after I told her that most of my dinners were under $3 (save when I eat out).  But, I think it is, or should be; we need to eat less -- and healthier -- as Americans, for many reasons, and even moreso to practice some economy.  I have noted that I am trying to eat less and healthier -- getting more servings out of a bag of microwave veggies, my freezing turkey and related dishes.  Now, it is not working quite yet, but a series of more regular trips to the gym and a little bit of less backsliding on food, and I will be back to 180 soon.  With the weather being what it is, no outdoor walks, either.  Alas!

Also funny; my email inbox is largely empty -- due to some ruthless answering -- but the links are piling up, despite some efforts to read them.  At the least my work computer is a little empty, as I have going through links and PDFs there.  I have been busy and thus behind on some things, but today I was able to multitask and get through several things almost simultaneously.  Phew!

City Club forum with Christian lobbyist draws protests, tense exchanges - cleveland.com
Have to admit, I was definitely looking forward to this, and it definitely delivered.  I thought he was quite solid on several things -- pointing his group never tries to cancel groups it disagrees with, how it supports school choice because of failing schools (ok, maybe, but the defense was good), how his group operates, and, best of all, when he called out the PD and its leadership for not being in touch with the rest of Ohio.  It was effectively cutting and brutal, and, as you can see from the above, completely ignored by the PD, proving his points (and mine).

Pensees

Mattie is a bit sleepy.  I stayed up to watch Duke-Cal, and while on the one hand I didn't necessarily need to -- I figured they would win -- such is fandom, right?  As usual, Duke started slow, but had a lead at the half and pulled away; I think the talent level was the difference, despite the raucous crowd and the fact that boys had to fly halfway across the country.  As I so often say, the idea of a West Coast trip in ACC basketball..,well, it is a bit much.

College Basketball’s Silence Is Almost As Damning As the Crimes
So is this.  I mean, what is anyone supposed to say?  That they support it?  Of course not.  I would like to think even a crappy coach wants to win, and many of them have complained about the transfer portal (while not mentioning their own career carousels).  But, everyone else seems to like it; the "student-athletes" who can leave for greener pastures and make some cash while doing so (like said coaches); the NCAA, as it allows for that wonderful nebulous concept of "choice," and even the coaches -- they can get rid of problem players or people who don't "fit" (and bring in new ones) with ease.  That's the system, it takes money, and some of that is going to come from betting and gambling.  No one is saying to take down the Fanduel commercials, are they?

Another reason I am tired is that I didn't sleep well last night; tossed and turned, couldn't sleep, and woke up often.  Oi.  I am tempted to call it early today, as I have a busy weekend planned (we know what that means) and I should save a little rest. 

Finished book 4 yesterday, Rob Harvilla's 60 Songs that Explain the 90s, which I thought would be pretty cool, and sort of was (who doesn't love a jaunt down memory lane), it was a also more than a bit disjointed.  I realize the book was based on a podcast and maybe it would be more entertaining that way, but... it does get me to 4 for the month, but they were shorter volumes and I have some thicker tomes awaiting my attention.  And, my intention is to surpass 50 this year, so... get to literary work. and soon.

The Crack-Up of Trump’s Base Is Greatly Exaggerated - The Atlantic
Does this surprise anyone?  OK, maybe the average Atlantic reader, but if they are reading the Atlantic, they have...other issues.  :)  More seriously, I am sure this was true of Biden, W, Obama, most Presidents; he is your guy, and as such, you give him a hell of a lot more slack than the other guy, and that is human nature,  Never mind of course that most of us know that inflation was much worse under Biden and the border was...undefended.  And, a lot of people do note that free trade didn't exactly work out, either, and in consequence Plan B should be given such time to let it work, or at least be tried.

A Change in Schedule

I woke up early today to hit the gym, and I am glad I did so.  Not only because I needed a good leg day, but also because it is really coming down.  I looked outside about 3:30 and it was calm, and then an hour later I looked up and I was like "whoa," because it was raining snow, if you will.  It seems to be smaller snowflakes, but it has seldom stopped from when I have looked.  I will probably not leave the house tomorrow, which is fine, as I do not really need to -- plenty of food (and healthy food), a day without the gym I can survive, and I have plenty to do here.

I was thinking of doing some restaurant tourism this weekend -- we all know how I feel about lists -- but then I was like I also have some recipes on the list, and maybe I should actually do some cooking this weekend.  I could do both, of course.  Hell, I still have piles of crap to sort through!  I guess I have time to plot this, especially now, as I am watching Duke-Cal.  I mean, nothing says Atlantic Coast Conference basketball like Duke playing at Cal.  Somewhere, my mother is pleased.

Conservative Christian group on the ascent, gaining the ear of lawmakers as it gains influence - cleveland.com
I love when the PD writes articles about conservatives.  For one, they've really abandoned any pretense of impartiality -- they hate these people and it shows -- and then they complain that 40% of the population pays them absolutely no heed.  Second, they really resent that they have done this the right way?  Building relationships with legislators, getting their voters to the polls, getting their candidates elected, etc.  It is called lobbying for a reason, and here in OH -- like a dozen other states -- the GOP and its groups are doing a better job.  This is not exactly news, but to them, it is.  I almost got tickets to their event at the City Club Friday, but that would involve giving money to the City Club, and I hold them to be one of the more worthless groups around, so....I will gladly watch them for free, as they let me.  Phew!

Mattie posts

I got around to watching yesterday's J! episode today (putting in some hours at the home office!) and I couldn't help but be impressed with the contestants -- two all-in Daily Doubles?  It also helped that I got 46 correct and nailed the Final!, but...twenty years ago no one would have done this, but now it is...common.  I guess I like it; on the one hand it is a blunt strategy, but on the other... it IS a strategy, and it certainly takes some stones to pull off.

I noted that I am "stuck" at 185 pounds....for now.  I have been trying to eat healthier -- halfway through a bag of frozen tilapia for dinners, and I made (half) baked potatoes for lunch -- but I think it is activity.  The gym might not be an option with the next couple of days, but I can at least meander around the house more.  That is just holding serve, but even if I added some reading (in addition to pacing during the commercial breaks) while pacing...well, I would feel better, and we all know how important that is.  I guess I could really help by eliminating my restaurant visits, but I do have a food list, and I am on a kick to cross a few off now.  I could also skip them and use the money to pay off the HELOC; not that $20 or so would materially affect it, but every balance reduction is that much less interest.  Then I tell myself I really am a cheap bastard...  (insert Latin quote from the miser here)

‘Back on the air’ - Fulton Sheen beatification to be announced
This is cool?!  Interesting that they held it up due to the pedophilia scandal.  Not that they shouldn't, but I suspect that the number of bishops immune to the scandal are few and far-between.  Sigh.

Exclusive | Trump Administration Takes Aim at Home-Builder Stock Buybacks - WSJ
This could be me, but why stop at home builders?  In this era of the new and populist GOP, there are literally dozens of industries where firms have been buying back stock, posting killer margins, and raising prices, and at some point it is ok to call them out on it.  I realize that I rather enjoy this aspect of the new and populist GOP, but...

GOP leaders throw cold water on Trump’s credit-card push - Live Updates - POLITICO
Similarly, the GOP should be all over this; there are plenty of people who don't even know how badly high interest rates are affecting them, and these are the people who could and would vote for the GOP if you led them to water.  Hell, POTUS should be using his bully pulpit and castigate the CFPB (and Pocohontas!) for not attacking this (and point out how worthless of an agency it is).  The politics and the optics would be...awesome.

Experiences of Sorts

Yesterday was a day of treats.  I went out after Mass with my new church friends for brunch at Grumpy's in Tremont.  Funny; the wife couldn't believe I had not been there in 20 years, and that is true... never really been a huge fan of the area, as you know, and usually after Mass I hit the gym and do things.  Still, it was nice to escape for a bit.  The grub was fine -- about what I expected to pay -- but it was a zoo; you had to wait a bit and it is a bit cramped in there.  As with many places, it was good though I am not sure I would run back...

Then it was gym and home where I caught up on things -- sent out a budget for the food pantry, read some articles and links, handled minor things, etc.  Quite nice.  Then it was off to the Agora to see State Champs/Real Friends/Driveways/Mallory Run.  Odd; I prepaid for parking (ugh but it is a pain there to park) and the lot was sold out, and I and others were re-directed back down Central to the spare lot, and I was like... ok.  But it worked out!  Anyways, the shows were good (Mallory Run, the first act, was actually quite solid) and there is something to be said for seeing bands live; I am not at the point where I can ID songs/album anymore (who listens to albums, anyways), and four hours of standing sans water was prolly a bit much, but....well, I deserve it, sometimes, damn it.  Couldn't sleep when I got home or now, but not feeling it... yet.

Today was...fine?  Work on multiple projects and did some follow-up budget stuff.  I also took a break to hit the Hot Meal meeting, where I learned that we need to serve more mac and cheese to our toothless clients (not kidding).  We are perpetually over budget, and while I cannot do much about that, it was....interesting to see why everyone thought it was the case.   We are back to serving 100 people a week, and all are pleased about that.  Also, there are but two pain-in-the-rear guests, and they are both known to us on the food pantry side.  It was pointed out you have to be a real shithead to get kicked out of a hot meal, and it was all I could do to not say that they were probably Hope and Changers...

Progress

Busy day today!  I got up early as I was helping out with new volunteer training for the SVDP.  Training was out at GESU in University Heights, and as I am the East District President...well, it behooved me to help out -- basically I was able to present a section and then take questions.  It was good -- we had a nice crowd, I got to meet some new volunteers and leaders, and made plans for the rest of 2026.  Can't complain!

As I was on the East Side, and literally five minutes from the place, I went to Lox, Stock, and Brisket in the Van Aken Market Hall in Shaker.  Yes, Shaker is practically a shithole, but this place is nice, mostly.  Parking is for crap, and East Siders drive like shit, but...anyways.  It was good, but pricey; I know everything is nowadays, but... then it was off to the gym, a couple of errands, watched the end of Duke (another narrow win, sigh), and then home.  I caught up on some work -- fraught with peril so I will tackle a different project tomorrow and then caught up on some reading.  Nodded off so here we are now...

Thomas Paine helped inspire US independence. He still has no DC memorial | AP News
Interesting.  As the article notes, for most of history have not exactly looked with kindness on him, sort of like the crazy relative who did one good thing and was a hot mess for the rest.  We are in a more secular time, to be sure, so his religious "views" are less of a concern, and on the right his belief in liberty and freedom is seeing more relevance.  I wonder what the space will look like, and where...

Exclusive: Have scientists found Leonardo da Vinci’s DNA? | Science | AAAS
Interesting?  Possibly cool?  Not exactly convincing?  I mean, it would be awesome but I suspect the vagaries of time -- bones and samples lost and degraded, families trees scattered, etc. -- have simply closed these paths off.  Course, if we can discover new human species...

Transitions

Interesting day; finished (I hope) a project at work, cleaned out some emails, set the decks to start another new one.  Phew.  Got some small checks and decided to make an extra payoff to the HELOC; it may not seem like much, but I think that the big number there -- thanx to the windows -- needs to come down, and if it takes option football, well, it is worth a try.  Also hit the gym, had a good workout, noted I am not exactly a lardass anymore (but still have work to do), and caught up on all of the back episodes of J! that I missed.  

I have to admit, I am not exactly a fan of all of these second-chance tournaments.  I mean, yes, it is good to see people again, but the cost is that people who deserve a chance to be on the show are being shut out of their opportunity, and that is not so good.  At least this round has the format I "grew up with" and that is somewhat reassuring -- 15 to 9 to 3.  I will also note that as part of my fitness journey, I am power-walking on the commercial breaks.  I realize I am barely getting 100 steps each one, but it beats not doing anything, right?

Trump Blindsides Wall Street Allies With Crackdown on Housing Investors - WSJ
Dare I say this is a good thing?  I think you can argue that -- save for a few parts of the US -- this is not a huge problem, but it IS a concern, and by solving it now, it is less of an issue in the future.  Similarly, the talk about capping interest rates -- something I am a huge fan of -- would be a sea change in many ways, and it would certainly that this is not your grandfather's GOP anymore.  Funny; lots of politicians talk about affordability, and the man is trying to do something about it.

Millions of Kids Are on ADHD Pills. For Many, It’s the Start of a Drug Cascade. - WSJ
Much like the COVID-related school closures, this policy -- giving kids drugs willy-nilly -- needs to be examined, to put it mildly, and the people who put it out there need to punished, and severely.  I think we have gone a long way from letting kids be kids, and while I realize that some children do need help, I think in a lot of ways out modern way of like -- locked in a home and sitting in a screen -- is the cause of the problem, and letting kids outside to do whatever (as was done many moons ago) might help...

Mattie Catches Up

Two days without a post... Tuesday night I was tired and crashed before 11, waking at 7 and getting nearly 8 hours of sleep, which for me is the Christmas miracle.  Wednesday I tried to do the same but ended up being woken up twice by the CGM -- once with low blood sugar and once with high blood sugar.  I thought I had a sensible snack, but maybe not.  Oi.  Anyways, I was sleeping perfectly (as far as I could tell) in each case, and it was a bit jarring to have to get up and deal with these medical crises.  I do need the rest, and may to try to crash early tomorrow or take a weekend nap.  Ha!

I have to admit, watching the Duke game Tuesday night was exhausting.  I really thought they were cooked -- yes, Louisville wasn't going to shoot 3s at that pace all night, but the usual playing like crap issues...well, I thought they were done.  Then, in the second half, they exploded offensively and tightened up the defense, and it became something of a laugher.  It was impressive, though I would prefer a little less drama.  I also note that Miami of Ohio is 16-0, and while they haven't really played anyone... still.  Undefeated is undefeated.  It is a long season, though, so...

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Will Shut Down in May - WSJ
I got a kick out of this one; I mean, if the union really thought it was a viable paper, they should offer to buy it and run it.  Hell, wouldn't any union or left-leaning group want to do this?  Like the dog in the nighttime, the silence is deafening.

Reagan, the Original MAGA President? | Steven F. Hayward
Interesting read; I think it holds up, actually, and if you look at it.. he is on to something...

Influencers target day cares after fraud claims against Somalis
This could be me, but if the mainstream media cannot or will not investigate these places, other people -- the next Nick Shirleys -- will do so?  One would think that this would be encouraged and even celebrated -- stopping fraud, uncovering potential crime -- but the reaction to this is exactly why the right hates the press as it is.

Something less than justice

In a move that surprised absolutely no one, Kevin Stefanski was fired today.  I think he played a role in the dumpster fire that was the Browns, though he certainly played the least important role.  I am not exactly surprised that the GM was retained, because he is in this too, and, let's face it, you can't fire the owner.  Of course, as long as people keep going to the games and buying the merch, there is little reason to change what has "worked."

A Dose of Reality on the Minnesota Frauds | Power Line
I watched the Nick Shirley video this weekend, and have been reading my share of articles about this.  I think it is important to note that while we need to catch and punish -- severely -- those who perpetrated these frauds (and I think we can make a case that, US citizens or not, if they are engaged in bringing people over to commit more fraud, they have brought people here under false pretense, and the punishment should involve loss of citizenship and deportation), that is not nearly enough.  Nor is it enough to take the property and swag of those who did it.  We need to punish -- equally as severely -- those who allowed this to go on.  I mean, this means the government employees who "supervised" these programs, who encouraged these activities -- each and every one of them who turned a blind eye have to feel the full force of the law, and with extreme prejudice.  They won't, of course, which is why it is so galling.

The 8 ways that all the elements in the Universe are made - Big Think
Interesting!  I think we all know I have a fondness for the elements (I "had" to memorize the periodic table when I was in high school, and have been fascinated by the subject ever since), and an equal fondness (laced heavily with ignorance!) of nuclear physics, so when you put the two together.

Operation Mattie Diets took full effect today; I hit the MD five pounds overweight (185) and thus I am eating most carefully -- and less -- for the interim.  Lunch and dinner was peanut butter on celery, veggies, and fruit, and I suspect at least one meal tomorrow (and the near future) will be that as well.  I need to exercise more as well -- leg day at the gym, a walk at lunch -- and I am confident that I can get the pounds off.  Funny, of course, as our client at the food pantry complain constantly when they get little if any meat, and I am always like "I ate meat once this week and do not look like an Ethiopian refugee" (with the unspoken comment that our clients more often resemble Sally Struthers).  That approach works wonderfully, of course, and I expect more of the same should I keep this up.  

Football Follies

I think I am less of a football fan than I thought -- and that is not much -- as I fell asleep during the D-III Championship.  My niece was working the game (in Canton), my brother-in-law was there, and the game was compelling (the favorite lost), but I still nodded off.  Alas.  In consequence, I am awake now... big day tomorrow, as it is back to work, a late meeting, and an early MD appointment.  My health is fine but there are some little things I am not happy about, and I wonder what he will do/say.  I am not sure as to what he will suggest, if anything, but that is an answer in and of itself.  Hm.

I have to admit, I am looking forward to the warmer weather this week, even with the rain.  I would like to do more walking on my lunch break, and when it is a bit nippy one does not want to go out (as I have aged, I like the cold less), but with 40 and no rain (for a stretch), I can take a quick stroll.   I did it when I could last month, and it is always good to get some air and stretch my legs.  Not that I believe in Resolutions for the New Year, but walking more and reading more books would be among them.

Solar storms have influenced our history – an environmental historian explains how they could also threaten our future
Having read some things about the Carrington Event, I can only imagine what a similar (or worse) event would do now.  I realize there is little appetite for spending money on such things even in the best of times, but this is something we should looking to fix -- hardening our infrastructure, if you will.  We will not, of course, but... 

Athletic directors 'threatening to freeze' Notre Dame out of schedules
Really?  I will believe it when I see it!  More seriously, I don't think that ND wants to join a conference (in football).  Now, what happens if this actually happens and all they can schedule are the service academies  and the Little Sister of the Poor... to be sure, I do not think this will happen, as ND is a schedule event that you can make money off of, and a guaranteed TV game... but if it does, it would be...interesting.

Dare I say that while the Venezuela operation is impressive, how we handle the turnaround will be the decision-maker?  I predict a rapid switch, with the Nobel Prize laureate being the new leader; I suspect the issue will be the hooker one of paying the current regime to go away...  No guarantee that will work either, but I feel that most of the other governments across the across are glad to see him gone, and will more than tacitly support the new regime.  We just need to get there...

Game Night

Next to last day of winter break, and I was less than productive on the house front, mainly because... I went to a wake and funeral today.  One of the sous-chefs from our parish caterer -- his father passed away, and I figured it would behoove me to attend -- once you have been in the trenches with someone, you are their friend, right?  It was nice, albeit a bit long -- he was very active in his parish and various Catholic activities, and in consequence the church was packed.  I have to admit, there is something to be said for the beauty of the Catholic Mass and funeral service; not that I have attended many non-Catholic ones, but even at a slightly frosty graveside committal, it was quite nice.  To be part of the group, I joined the post-funeral lunch, which was fine -- good to see everyone again -- and I ended up being invited to a nite out at the Monsters game in someone's family luxury box.

I had not been to Ricket Mortgage Fieldhouse in at least a decade, and it was...different from what I remember?  Much nicer?  Seemed like they had fewer concession stands and more areas for specialty stuff -- sports book, etc.  Interesting.  The game was fun -- the Monsters won -- and it was sort of nice to iut in a comfy seat and eat popcorn and veggies.  Not sure I would do it all the time, but...

Yesterday I went to the OC to help with the pickups -- we had good pickups, but on top of what we already had, it was...hard to fit it in.  We do not have a lot of produce, but there are plenty of eggs, lots of laundry detergent (ordered to spend down our December grant), and everyone can get two meats and bread items, which should quell most of the complaints.  I am not managing, but I hear about everything and get the reports, and I do like to keep track of what happens, so...

Mattie is Productive

Yesterday's OSU game was certainly...underwhelming.  It certainly seemed that they couldn't (or wouldn't) protect the QB, didn't want to chance another FG, and couldn't stop the run.  I made a comment to my one friend that I think Ryan Day is a better coach when his job security is on the line, and maybe that is actually true?  On the other hand, the Sun Bowl was...entertaining and impressive.  It was an offensive fest, with 81 points scored, and I didn't think Duke could pull it out, but they forced a late turnover and scored... it was pretty cool.  And, as I like to say...my team can win its conference championship game, its bowl game, and beat its rival.

So I ended up staying in last night, and I am glad I did, given the weather.  I spent much of the day cleaning --  went through another closet, kicked up another dust cloud, but made a pile to donate (which I took to the OC today), a pile to trash (which I did this morning), a pile to recycle (if not tomorrow this weekend), and a pile to go through.  It does look neater through much of my house (good) and I go through the crap I pulled... I still have a couple of rooms to go but there has been progress.  Phew!  Hell, today I cleaned the bathroom, vacuumed, and swept...

Also reached my 50-book goal by finishing up the Padre Pio book -- yay! -- and I am well on my way through book one of this year.  It would be nice to read more this year -- you learn much, the book list expands exponentially -- but of course that is easier said than done.  If you include all the stuff one reads -- articles for work, interesting stuff you find online -- I think I am even further ahead, but there is something about a proper book...

Minnesota's Somali scams get worse by the day — who will pay? | New York Post

Quite right, but I think we all know that it will be a miracle if the Somalis who actually committed the frauds are properly punished, much less the politicians who enabled it.  Though they deserve the perp walk as well...