Back on the Radar

Another one of those four-day hiatuses which I should avoid... so let us go in reverse.  Today was good -- Mass, an extended stay at the OC (a lot of canned goods were dropped off in the vestibule, so I figured I should take more and put them away.  Then off to the gym and to take Communion to my Polish friend -- she was in quite the good mood, and it was nice to catch up.  Then home where I cut the grass, weed-whacked, and spend much of the day catching up on the stuff I couldn't do over the weekend -- and I am not quite close to being done yet.

Yesterday was a long day (and I am feeling it today).  OC duty -- last of the month -- and it was mostly good.  Count was a bit low, and we had a lot of produce and bread to get rid of, and that didn't help.  The clothing room did a brisk business, and we did clean and rotate stock.  Off to the gym and an errand, followed by lunch at Rudy's Strudel.  I was listening to the local alternative rock station and they said they were a fest there; I was in Parma so it was an easy thing to visit.  They had specialty pierogi -- I had pulled pork, cheeseburger, and apple pie, and got a record when chatting with the AM team of the radio station.  Rah.  I got home in time to shower, and then it was off to church, as I was on the setup team for our Nite at the Race fundraiser.  That went fairly well -- more people than expected, they spent -- but it was tiring, heling to set up, serve dinner and dessert, clean up, etc.

Part of the reason Saturday was long was because Friday evening I went to Emo Night at the Globe Iron/Foundry (John Tapper would be appalled).  I stayed til the end --1 AM -- but it was glorious, and as I had had a long week of work, it was good to have a mental escape.  The venue is what I would call gritty, but I think it was fine -- I rather prefer those places than something larger.  It was 2 before I was in bed, and the turnaround was a bit...quick.  Of course, I cannot sleep now.  I downloaded the DNC "autopsy" for the 2024 campaign, should read that, but probably not tonight...

 All non-drone militaries are obsolete
This is rather sobering, in many levels...

The 11 best emo albums | Louder
I have been listening to these over the past week; not sure the early ones qualify but most of them did.  Most of these bands I had not heard of course, but they were...good.  Sort of sad to see how many of them broke up soon after getting an album out...also, now you can listen to anything you want, whereas before, it was only the airplay on the radio.  Had I listened to them before...but now, alas!

Mattie Lazarus

First, I was sad to see that Kenny Atkinson did not have a statistical breakdown of game four.  :)  OK, I don't think the Knicks needed bulletin board material -- it just seemed like they were the better team -- but that was... not exactly opportune of him to say that?  I don't know; not a huge Cavs fan, but it certainly seemed that Harden was... if not exactly old, not exactly a starter for a top-tier team.  And, the Cavs looked... defensively porous, to put it mildly.  I should pay attention more to see how they are going to fix it, if they are.

Second... I do hope the TX GOO knows what they are doing.  Talarico seems beatable, even in a blue wave, but, as I like to say, why take a chance?

In other news (I tried to post yesterday, but Blogger wouldn't let me log on)... let's go in reverse.  Today I went to KFC and got the 8 for $10 deal -- eight drumsticks and/or thighs for $10, and a side of cole slaw.  I have not had it since Mom died, and it was... quite good.  I forgot how nice the mix of spices was.  I would go again, albeit not right away.  It was a good switch from the salmon I made (a plank), and even after an extended session on the exercise bike... well, it was worth it.  A couple of days of fried chicken will not kill me, I think.  To be sure, I will be another year older in less than two weeks, and I am NOT feeling it, if you get my drift.  It will be beautiful this week, and I may take some lunch walks, just to get out and get some rays.

Anyways, it was a good long weekend.  Did some work but not too much.  Caught up on ALL of the back episodes of J! I had saved.  Hung out with some friends Sunday night.  Cleaned my house a bit -- I had the windows open quite a bit, simply because, after all these years, I can.  Read a couple of books (not too long) to get me to 20.  Even decided to conquer the pile of library DVDs and watched "The Loving Story," a documentary about the Lovings -- an interracial couple who fought the state of VA to legally marry.  This will surprise no one, but I preferred the second half -- which dealt with their legal case (went to the Supreme Court) -- than the first, which was a personal look at their lives.  But it was interesting, if a bit odd; hard to believe now that people fought about stuff like that.  And, as it was on the National Film Registry, this got me to 859.

Jon Husted Ohio Medicaid fraud: what his testimony revealed - cleveland.com

I get a kick out of these articles, because we all know if Husted -- or any non-RINO GOPer -- went after this, people like the PD and their readers would claim racism, sexism, hatred against poor people, etc., ad nauseum, simply out of reflex, and the result is that most nowadays feel it is just not worth it.  In some ways I would love to see a GOPer call them out for this.  I realize it would be largely useless, as they are too stupid and libtardy to realize it, or care, but...

Ohio’s food banks grappling with high demand that just keeps climbing with economy woes and aid cuts - cleveland.com

Similarly, I find this amusing.  Part of the GCFB's problem is that they created this mess - you really don't have to verify anything (like that you are poor) to get stuff, and I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of people are mooching and cheating the system.  Now, they could easily tighten the rules, but they don't, for reasons known but to them.  As far as I concerned, they caused this, and only a reduction of their resources -- donations, state aid, etc. -- will get them to change, and I think we all know how popular that will be.

Mattie posts

I should probably post!  Thursday and Friday I just worked, caught up on stuff, and crashed -- yesterday I tried to get through the backlog of emails and stuff (not quite done).  Today was my first off day, and I was busy -- woke up early, drove to the Acme in Montrose to buy pop and such, gym, errands, a spot of cleaning, some work, and I ended sort-of watching the Cavs and making a trip down memory lane.  I think I mentioned some Slate reporter asked me about my reminisces about the Teen Tournament.  I sent her a lengthy note (up in the ether, no reply, and we know how I feel about that, and reporters in general).  Anyways, I had told her that I had a scrapbook of everything that Mom had made, so I went through it (first time in a decade or more).  It is comprehensive, albeit in a box with my other high school and college stuff.  I organized it a bit -- it was all jumbled but I put it in chronological order.  If she calls or writes, it's ready for perusal.  Rah.

Is it me, or the Cavs are... overrated?  Too many turnovers.  Harden looks older than I am.  I suspect the Knicks are the better team, but we are doing our best to give them the series, and you would think that is an easy problem to solve (albeit next season).

Before You Invest in Crypto, Watch This Film – Mother Jones
Interesting -- I sort of want to see this, and I need more stuff to watch like a hole in my head.  Hell, I am still a couple of episodes behind on J!, and that doesn't even consider the stuff I got from the library a few weeks ago.  Yes, I should watch some this weekend, but the weekend is half over now, if you will.  I still need to do some more cleaning, but there is no reason -- with Monday off -- that I couldn't get at least one done.  Sigh.

Bemusement

Finished book 18 yesterday, Alienated America, which looks at the rise of Trump and why.  It is interesting, in some ways -- Trump's biggest support is where the bonds of community are most frayed, such as job loss, lack of church attendance, lack of births in marriage.  But... well, the last two are the sorts of things that are easy to fix -- join a church, marry your partner, get involved in your community.  People don't and then complain how bad things are, which makes no sense to me.  Yes, we are creatures of habit, but... then again, when you see these articles about young people flocking to churches and Mass, well...maybe people do get it.  Now, the economic stuff is a bit harder to solve, but if people get involved in the community...well, maybe you will see some new ideas?  Just maybe?  You really do have nothing to lose but your chains...

Spencer Pratt Was a Reality TV Villain. Now He Wants to Be L.A.’s Savior. - WSJ
'The Hills' villain makes a splash as candidate for LA mayor | AP News
Can he win?  Yes?  Will he?  Probably not; the numbers are not there.  On the other hand, the ads are pretty slick, and he has a point -- Karen Bass has been a wreck of a mayor, and while Pratt may not have any experience, he can see what has gone wrong, and in the jungle primary system CA has...well, anything can happen.

Texas Tech’s $5M QB caught betting on his own games 10,000 times
I have been sort of following this story, and it is fascinating to me.  On the one hand, the guy was betting on his own team for Christ's sake, and should get the book thrown at him.   Of course, in this day and age...well, he is in treatment, he has a mental issue, and of course the lawyers are involved.  In the real world he would be told to pound salt, but in this day and age, I think we all know what will actually happen.

Thoughts

Funny; I was listening to the weather this morning, and Jeff Tanchak pointed out that we might have some cooler weather today, and that would dampen the effect of the thunderstorms tonight.  And, I dare say that is exactly what happened... it did seem like we had a bit less heat today (my AC ran less) and the rain, when it came, was not quite so awful as expected.  I guess I can live with that; I took the stuff to the compost this AM, and if the cooler weather keeps the grass from growing as rapidly... well, I will survive.

Bad week for the anti-Trumpers in the GOP -- Cassidy, Massie, Raffensberger all went down.  Not that this was unexpected, but... I am not sure that Paxton is the stronger candidate in TX, and Cornyn has a chance there, I guess, but... considering the prospect of a blue wave, I would think all of the time and money be better spent being deployed against Democrats.  Just a thought -- call me crazy -- but I prefer an external firing squad to the circular one.

How Nicki Minaj Became Trump’s ‘No. 1 Fan’ - WSJ
When did this happen?  First, when did Nicki Minaj become 43?  And married?  But I digress.  No, how did Nicki Minaj become a Trumper?  The article is actually pretty fascinating, and even after reading it twice, I am still not quite sure what to make of it.  OK, I am glad she is on my side, I guess.

I looked at the Cavs score early in the evening, saw they were up 20 or so... and I see they lost.  I am beginning to think it is a good idea that I do not gamble on sports. 

Success

Today was quite a good day.  Certainly beautiful out -- just the right amount of sun, wind, and temperature.  Hard to believe that not even two weeks ago we had frost warnings, and next we will have record heat this week... odd.  Weather in Ohio.  Anyways, Mass was quite nice -- even introduced to a new and youngish couple; I mean, this is my home/family parish, and I will never feel unwelcome here, but we all know there are plenty of people who will give you the stinkeye (or worse) if you sit in their pew...so the least I can do is to be nice.  

Anyways, then it was off to the OC, where today I hosted our Third Annual Communion Mass and Breakfast for my District.  It was interesting -- I took the keys to the doors but when I went to set up the coffee station, I needed to get the keys for the cabinets, and hence another trip to the OC.  Anyways, I soon had everything set up, the caterers came, one of my parish leaders came early (we talked quite a bit), and... we had nice, slightly long, but successful meeting.  I had a few guest speakers -- social worker about getting people on to SNAP/HEAP/PIP, someone to talk about how well twinning was going (and why we want to do more), and someone from Downtown (who got some hard questions; I warned her about it, but it is not the same as getting it).  I cleaned up, packed up the leftovers for Herman House, took some stuff to my sister's, and came home.  I have a couple of days of breakfast for dinner leftovers, but not too much more, as my stomach is telling me I am not used to such fare.

Have to admit, I like going to Ohio City (sometimes) but I would not want to live there.  Nice houses, walkable, but who wants to live among all the winos and whatnot in the area.  I mean, it's one thing to deal with Hope and Changers, but all of the interesting characters.... I think I can do without.

Saturday was OC duty and it was fairly quiet; we still expect large crowds, but again, the numbers were off (low).  I joke it is all this Republican prosperity (and a lot of our clients have to get jobs with welfare reform and the lack of illegals), but I think that is not the full picture.  Not sure what it is but it is odd.  We are closed this upcoming weekend, so we made sure all of the produce and bread was given away.  I will be ordering more meat and frozen items but certainly not produce.

I had thought about going to the Asian Festival today, and I am glad I did not, as it was closed for being too crowded.  I was joking my less adventuresome (in the culinary sense) friends that they ran out of chicken feet, but...let's hope we have the same luck at the Polish Festival.

Down Memory Lane

Busy and dare I say a productive day?  I mean, after work and all, I cut the grass (somewhat overdue) and then weed-whacked (more than somewhat overdue), then came in, had dinner, caught up on stuff, washed dishes, and then cleaned the bathroom, including the shower, which, to continue using a phrase, was somewhat overdue.  Now, I didn't do a lot of the other stuff I wanted (I nodded off, sigh) but some of the big things are done, and that is... nice?  To be sure, I have a theoretically full day and weekend tomorrow, so that will be hard (especially when I am up now), but...

Penile implant specialist with history of far-right comments led hantavirus presser | CNN Politics
Dare I say that this seems oddly appropriate for this administration?

They admit it was BS all along - by Tom Knighton
There really needs to be more of an effort to call these people out for their lies/BS/obvious exaggerations.  I mean, no one is going to haul ManBearPig in and ask him if he was lying or just stupid, but they should!

Odd...this reporter from Slate sent me an email asking about my J! experience.  I think she is legit, and I am thinking about it.  I think we all know what I think about reporters, but this hardly seems the type of thing where they pull their usual antics.  On the other hand, I don't like reporters, and there is no guarantee that she wouldn't...  I guess I can sleep on it and craft a response -- one way or the other -- tomorrow.

The What-Ifs

I didn't blog last nite; rather, I was in bed right at 11, and must have fallen asleep soon thereafter.  Woke up at 6 to pee, thought about staying awake, but instead slept for another half hour, and it was glorious.  I mean, I haven't slept that long -- or well -- in a while, and I felt it today.  Now of course we are back to our usual ways -- I nodded off a bit after J!, and am up now catching on things.  I really should have forced myself to bed at 11, but things and life intervene.  Alas.

He’s back: Biden returns to the campaign conversation, backing two former advisers | Semafor
This is odd.  Very odd.  Ok, I can see how in a blue district this could be an asset, but anywhere else... most odd.

I have been listening to the full nine hours of the Civil War Battlefield Trust's history of the Battle of Chancellorsville, recorded in 2023 for the 160th anniversary.  Interesting, of course.  More to the point, the one point often made is that Joe Hooker should never have lost that battle, and that is 100% correct.  Indeed, at every day of the battle, he made ALL the wrong decisions to lose it.  Even on May 3, he could decided to stay and fight, force Lee to unite his divided (and outnumbered!!) army, and even accounting for the genius of Lee (without Stonewall Jackson)....well, it is a tough order.  We will never know, of course, what he was thinking, but it is quite odd that the man of all his confidence, if you get my drift, really funked out at such a critical time.  He really did build the army that won at Gettysburg, and did fairly well (for a while) in the Atlanta Campaign, but... 

Duke Blue Devils' $20 million roster: How top recruits and transfers will impact next season
Let's hope $20M can pay for someone who can get out of a double-team, right?

Catching Up

Another long and shameful hiatus, so let's get to work and catch everyone up... Friday was the Four Eagles Dinner, our high-end parish fundraiser.  Lots of changes -- new caterer and new venue, the Bohemian National Home on Broadway and 49th.  I had been inside there only once, and not extensively; we were upstairs in the ballroom, and it is quite beautiful -- I can see having the event there every year.  The dinner was... good?  I mean, it wasn't as good as when our parish caterer did it, but I fully expected that, so... I mean, they had a full app table (borscht, kielbasa, stuffed mushrooms, cold meats), a Warsaw salad, decent entrees, kremovskie, and, for those interested, an open bar, including the parish hooch.  I ended up staying longer than expected and had a good time, so....

Saturday was OC duty.  We had just enough volunteers -- we could have used one more person in the back, to move carts, though I ended up helping to fill that role during quiet times at the front -- and the count was 148, a bit low, considering all that is going on with the economy and all.  But it was calm and fine -- the pain in the rear clients were few and far between, the freezers were mostly empty, and it was  mainly good.  Then errands and home to catch up on things; that took a good deal more than I expected -- catching up on emails, reading stuff, etc. But it was good, as we all know how I value those things.

Sunday was May Crowning, and while we did not release the rose petals -- not til the last Mass of the day, sigh -- it was still pretty enough.  Then it was gym, a few errands, Communion to my friend in West Par k, and then home to catch up on some work.  Mission accomplished, largely; I finished a few projects to get them off the plate for the week.  Things have been coming in hot and steady and it was good!

Yesterday I skipped the OC Board meeting (tomorrow I get a full recap) and instead went to a birthday dinner at Cleveland Chop House for my friend Mike, one of the sous chefs for our parish caterer.  It was quite good -- I had the steak au poivre, cheddar mash, and corn bread, and it was almost perfect (albeit a bit pricey).  Funny; I expected a big crowd and pricey parking by the place (off West 9th) due to the Cavs game, so I parked by CSU and hoofed it 30 blocks to the restaurant.  I paid $10 and change... but was slightly miffed to discover that parking was $20.  I could use the exercise, to be sure, but... 

And today was work and a trip to Lakewood for a haircut (also skipping a meeting).  I heard on the way there about the KFC bucket deal - 8 pieces for $10 -- and I was like "Gee, I should get that" as it has been a long time since I had the colonel.  I went to the one in Royalton and it was...closed, permanently, so next week it is.  My arteries, at least, rejoice. 

Wakefulness

Here I am, coughing up a storm, not exactly feeling better, but awake and blogging.  To be sure, I nodded off a bit before... one thing (two) I was able to do is go through the email pile and answer/handle a bunch.  I also sent out some things -- reports from Downtown, food pantry stuff, etc. - to both the East District parishes (for SVDP) and the OC Board.  I need to do a budget, I have other paperwork to handle, but... it looks cleaner both on my table and in my inbox.  Rah.

John Calipari offers up a very respectable take on NCAA Tournament expanding to 76 teams | OutKick
Dare I say I agree with the guy?  (The globe shudders.)  More seriously, he is 100% correct, and it would be nice if more coaches would speak out about this.  I realize they will not -- a mid-major getting in means that a 15th-place SEC team does not - but if he can do it...

USDA Tightens Rules on Which Stores Accept SNAP - NOTUS — News of the United States
Is this a bad thing?  Forcing stores to carry healthier food -- not that a lot of people will buy it -- and not covering junk food are hardly bad things.  I am fascinated that anyone thinks to the contrary.  I will also note that RFK was at the City Club today, and... I don't want to say that I am impressed, but the whole time I was thinking that much of what he was saying now is quite good and should be done.  It's the other stuff that is the issue, and I cannot help but think we could have found someone more MAHA without the baggage.

Why it’s still JD Vance | Semafor
Is this a bad thing?  I don't think it is, but...2028 is still a long way away, if you get my drift.

Lazarus

As always, I need to post more.  Last night I ended up falling asleep on the hallway floor (laying down is a sure sign that I am sabotaging my self-productivity) and woke up at 2:20 with the lights on.  This would be fine, but I clearly have a cold -- coughing and sniffles galore -- and I should be sleeping more, but there is simply too much to do, and I have done enough it.  It is the silly season at work, and that doesn't help, but...  let's not discuss the pile of J! episodes on the Tivo, either.

I voted yesterday -- bright and early, as I had an MD appointment.  Not too bad; to be sure, with no school levies on the ballots, and just the candidates, it was fill in the blanks and go home.  Everything seemed to go as expected -- certainly no surprises to me -- and I am interested to see how this race for governor turns out.  I would think she should be assailed off the planet for her role in the shutdowns, but that is me.

In a month I will be 48.  Not only is the year (and my life) flying by, but 47 was... mostly good?  Fixed my house some, paid some bills, read some books, etc.  It is just unsettling to see how far even a pedestrian year goes...

How Tim McCormack Got Caught Up in the Jontay Porter Scandal

Interesting.  I guess I should say that I can how people thought this was a good idea, but I cannot fathom how anyone can think of such a thing now.  Of course, blessed are those who see and believe.

GOP allies warn White House its positive economic message is falling flat - POLITICO
Of course we should go negative, because it works, though I am not sure that is the case this year; unless oil prices fall (preferably sharply and soon) I predict it will be "Blue By You" in every sense of the words.

The Party With the Nazi Tattoo – Commentary Magazine
The GOP Is Holding a Bombshell on Graham Platner: ‘He’ll Have to Leave the State’ – PJ Media
This could be me, but if there is something worse out there about the guy (I am thinking it is a case of "I'll take the rapists for $800), wouldn't the Democrats have found it?  Unless it is dejected Mills supporter who is holding on to it... of course, the Collins camp may decide that they too can wait, but if this is a blue wave, again, it might not matter.

Inside the Quiet Republican Effort to Flip Fetterman - POLITICO
Do we want the guy?  If the option is majority or no, then I guess so, but... good Lord, he is like the Kennedys, save for he hasn't killed anyone yet -- and not for lack of trying.  He misses votes, he is Bidenesque in cognition... these are dark days.  Sigh.

Checking in

Long weekend...but good.  Friday night I was up late and could not sleep, which is... par for the course.  Anyways, Saturday was OC duty, and it was...surprisingly calm?  Only had 149 clients -- we all expected 165 -- and after the morning rush it was pretty steady but not terribly busy.  Could be the weather -- it was sleeting a bit, I kid you not -- but it was fine.  Plenty of volunteers, enough stuff to give away, lots of clothing went... it was pleasant.

Today we had Mass for my grandparents (Mom's side) so my aunt, uncle, and cousin joined us.  At breakfast after we chatted about things -- namely, my uncle has a half-sister he never knew about.  His father had a child from his first wife, no one knew about, but she used the websites to discover this.  Odd how people can find these things out -- but it is cool.  We discussed how back then, people just didn't talk about things like that, and that was that -- even if you asked, there wouldn't be an answer.  You would think I would be more interested in this but... my love of history only goes so far, I guess.

Young New Yorkers Have a New Hot Spot: Sunday Mass - WSJ
I still think this is pretty cool, though of course I wonder where this was when I was that age...missed it coming and going, the story of my life.

I think all of the hecticness and the lack of sleep has caught up with me as I now have a cold... sigh.  I mean, it is not too bad yet but I feel it now... Oi.  At least the Cavs won, and the city can breathe easier for a few days...