Blizzard!

Last night -- after a long week -- I just chilled and went to bed semi-early, because I needed it.  I had an echo-cardiogram (trying to see if this anemia is caused by a heart infection, which I find to be incredibly unlikely) and then work.  Hopefully we can get a project out Monday, though as I told my boss, there is a reason why my Confirmation name was Thomas...  I also watched "Singles," the classic 90s dating movie that I sort of missed along the way -- it's a Cameron Crowe film that is basically a love affair with grunge 90s Seattle (I recognized the bands!).  To be sure, I am not exactly the target audience, but I don't think I ever was in my life, either.  It was...good?  I was talking with someone today about how Capra could not end a film without needing to resort to deus ex machina crap, and it seemed the Crowe managed to end his films with a happy (or happy enough ending).  It has been a while since I have seen "Almost Famous" so I should probably check it out, not like I do not have enough films to watch.

Another reason for hitting the hay early was because I had OC duty today.  One of our parishes has a new co-manager and she is still learning the ropes and asked a bunch to come in and show her what to do.  Fine!  It was fairly cold -- I felt like a Russian doll this AM putting on two pairs of pants (a minor problem when I had to pee!), shirt, long-sleeve, hoodie, sweatshirt, and jacket.  But I was well-protected against the cold.  And it wasn't too bad; count was 126 (lower than average) which I attributed to the weather and the parking lot -- we used about 20 pounds of salt to clear paths for us to walk.  Most people were good (the weather kept the pains in the ass away) and while the lower crowd kept us from getting rid of all the produce, it was close.

Then it was off to a fundraiser in Euclid... it was fine, but the pace was sort of... unhurried, which I thought was odd, given the snowstorm.  I realize most of the people there were from the East Side, but...the ride home was a bit unpleasant.  The 4WD does work -- phew -- and while there were some road stretches it was not needed, mostly it was.  Hell, my driveway got plowed again -- twice in three days!  Anyways, I was glad to be home and able to just catch up on stuff and chill.  

Why Does Trump Disdain Europe? - POLITICO
I get a kick out of stuff like this; I mean, we are Republicans, we are supposed to disdain Europe, and if you cannot find a dozen reasons...

Mattie rests

Yesterday was a long day of work, and with all of the stuff I had to do... I didn't feel like posting.  Now, I am a bit tired - feeling the long day -- so I will be off to bed after this.  Alas.  Today was a hot mess, or a cold mess, weather-wise; I think it snowed all day.  It was not supposed to, but as the weather people explained after the fact, lake effect snow lingers... lovely.  My driveway was plowed, which didn't surprise me, though I was glad it was done.  I got my four-wheel drive fixed yesterday -- motor needed replacement -- and I would prefer NOT to test it out getting out of the driveway (though it might be the best idea).

Republicans have an affordability problem. They can’t agree on how to fix it. - POLITICO
Calling it on "con job" is probably NOT the best way to do this, though I have to admit some of the things they are doing now -- stressing the prices that are lower (especially gas), advocating for another interest rate, cutting tariff -- should help.  Of course, there is the Obamacare issue; I am not sure there is a way to solve it given the party makeup, the narrow majority, etc.  More to the point, I don't think anyone wants to solve it.  Not saying it is easy, but... there must be some way to extend them partially for a limited amount of time while cracking down on fraud and such.  I find it fascinating that no one seems to be able split the baby.  In some ways, this is something POTUS could handle; the man certainly has the ability to corral enough of Congress to get it done.

 ‘I Worry People Are Going to Get Hurt in the Short Term’ - POLITICO
I think the headline could have been "Government employee mad that they are not in office anymore."  I see her point to some extent but on the other hand... people gamble on things all the time -- often with more-than-tacit government support -- and there is no reason why people shouldn't be able to do it with the stock market, either.  I suspect enough people know that crypto on its best day is a hot mess, so...

Early to Rise

Finally finished watching Ken Burns' "American Revolution" series tonight.  I think my original prognosis was... correct?  It was good not great?  Again, I think they hit upon as broad a range of topics as possible -- good and bad -- which is to be commended, though I am not sure that some things should have been stressed over others.  I don't think it is unfair to say that perhaps too much was spent on some things over the main point -- how the entire concept of the revolution was.... revolutionary?  But overall it was worth my time -- I don't think 2 hours is too long, honestly.  But I am a history nerd, so...

Today was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, so I woke up earlier than usual and attended early Mass (sparsely attended, as it is always is, alas).  I am glad I went of course but am dragging a bit now... on the other hand, it was a mostly good day -- productive at work, handled some stuff for the OC, etc.  I have to admit, I can tell when I do not have enough rest.  My sister would remind me that I am not as young as I used to be, and I hate to admit she is correct.  Of course, this is the only place I will be admitting this...

How the dollar-store industry overcharges cash-strapped customers while promising low prices | US news | The Guardian
I am glad our state is listed as trying to do something about this, but there is NO reason why this should be happening; I can't imagine how annoying it would be to be overcharged and not have anything that could be done (I used to complain about it at Acme, and I am the one who watches what I spend and can figure out what my bill should be ahead of time!).  I doubt our legislature will do anything about this, but...

The Somali Welfare Fraud Scandal Is Even Worse Than You Think
This is a huge deal, and while on the one hand we are good to be stressing it, but... I don't think we are at the cusp of realizing how bad this is.  I don't doubt that the state of MN dropped the ball here -- on purpose -- and given who runs it, they will not do anything about it.  Will the Feds do it?  Should they?  Of course.  It's not an ICE issue at this point; Pam Bondi should be there personally signing indictments until Doomsday.

Notre Dame Takes Stand, Vanderbilt's Clark Lea Takes CFP Accountability | OutKick
Dare I say that Vandy is taking the correct path and Notre Dame is not?  Even given that some of the players off to the NFL weren't going to play...they don't have other guys on the roster to step up?  I will also note that while the ACC should be faulted for not promoting them, Notre Dame is not actually part of the ACC; Miami is.  ND wants the best of both worlds -- membership in a conference without being part of one -- and that means that they will not be in the front of the bus.  I feel badly for them but not that badly (not that I ever feel badly to begin with)...

Padre Pio

One thing I forgot to mention yesterday; it was one of those rare days where I had little to do -- aside from watch glorious Duke victories -- so I got up early, hit the gym, and then off to some errands -- some groceries, a trip to the cemetery to see the parents, and, equally importantly, I went to Mary Queen of Peace parish to venerate the touring relics of Padre Pio.  The church is nice -- not St. Stan's nice, of course -- but plenty of nice features.  Very large -- surprisingly so; I didn't realize how much space there is inside.  Anyways, they had five relics of Padre Pio, including a bit of kerchief with his blood (from the Stigmata).  I tried to get a picture, but it was difficult -- they let you do it, but a steady of stream people (including me) were trying to venerate the relics, so I got a side shot, and that was...fine?  Funny; I took Communion to my friend on the West Side -- she met him!! -- and I was sure to show the pics to her.  I have been praying to him more and have been reading a bio... interesting.  

So, the CFP rankings were released and it seems that, as succinctly as possible, there has been hell to pay.  The big news is that two non-power conferences are in, Miami is in, and that Notre Dame is out... and in consequence, they are not going to a bowl game at all.  This seems a bit...extreme?  I would think they would want to play someone -- anyone -- and put the wood to them, but obviously not.  Similarly, wouldn't the players want to play, get the swag, etc.?  Duke is going to the Sun Bowl, which would be funnier had I not suggested in group chat that they would be going...to the Sun Bowl.

Trump’s Top Advisers Wage Campaign to Shift His Focus to High Prices - WSJ
This seems a good idea, even though in many ways stuff is going down -- eggs are cheaper (not 99 cents a dozen but close enough), gas is $2.65, and some prices are stabilizing.  But people are concerned.  Housing is an issue.  Going after industry concentration is a good thing, and I would like to see people going after companies with high margins and stock buybacks -- not a traditional GOP thing, but this is not the traditional GOP.  To be sure, with POTUS, you could see anything, but I would a populist type is the last man in line to speak to the guy...

The Double Event

Crazy stuff with college football today; first, Ohio State lost to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship game.  I saw three plays in the game, one of which was the missed chip shot field goal.  I mean, I realize that both teams had nothing to gain by winning or losing the game (not really but you get my drift) which might have explained why it was 13-10.

Of course, the real excitement was in the ACC Championship game, where Duke -- those scrappy underdogs -- won in OT against UVA.  Duke had a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, lost it, scored a TD on a gutsy 4th-and-1 trick play, and won it on an interception.  Now, this is cool but... with their 8-5 record they will probably not make the college football playoff.  On the one hand, this opens it up for two non-power conference teams; on the other, there is concern when the champion of a power conference does NOT make the playoff.  

Mind you, Duke had another big win today, as the hoopsters went to MSU and won on the road.  As expected, it was a tough game -- too many turnovers and missed FTs, a plethora of fouls -- but they managed to pull one out.  Phew!  On the other hand, this is a big win, no matter what or who.

I woke up early to get to the gym and get my errands done, and now... well, I cannot sleep.  This will not bode well for tomorrow, but... not sure why.  But, we carry on.  I am thinking of adding something to the Duke corner of champions to celebrate the football, but considering that reward is something akin to the Sun Bowl... well, I am not sure what.  Similarly, I need to get a Xmas gift list together, and I need to start shopping -- online first, and maybe a scheduled mall trip...

Mattie sleeps

I crashed hard last night and again tonight.  I had an eye doctor this afternoon, had my pupil dilated, and while I am fine, it was a little hard to see for a while.  So I just nodded off after I finished work.  I guess I needed the nap.  In the meantime, I was able to watch some football and see JMU win; now, all that needs to happen is for Duke to win the ACC, and this power conference champion will be out...

Funny, the Big Ten Championship is a battle between #1 and #2, and... no one seems to be paying attention?  If you think about it, the playoffs are the reason why; both teams are in, and all they are playing for is slotting, and thus...who really cares?  I think this is clearly a bad thing -- you would think the Big Ten would be trying to hyping this -- and while yes, both teams are in, on the other hand... these titanic clashes are now...devalued.  I will try to watch -- I have nothing to do this weekend, so I can read and background-watch some college football -- but it is a bit less compelling.

My paper pile -- despite my housecleaning last weekend -- seems to be unchanged, so I guess I can work on that as well.  I also found a pile of family pictures so I should find an album and put them in.  I have to admit, the house looks better and I feel good about it, so I should probably keep it up.

I am not surprised by cleveland.com's embrace of Amy Acton, but... it is a little odd, because even they admitted that on some issues -- such as closing schools -- she was wrong.  Of course, they blithely ignore the consequences of this choice, but you would think someone would call them out on this; I mean, I would have loved it if Bernie Moreno did it when he was there, or if any GOPer deigns to attend their candidate forums.  Even Scott Bessant called out the NYT at one of their forums!

Drill, Baby, Drill

The College Football Team That Can Plunge an Entire Conference Into Turmoil - WSJ
I don't think anyone feels that Duke can win, but when you see stuff like this, you sort of want them to, right?  Throwing a grenade into the Championship?  Who doesn't love that?  Ok, Miami and a dozen other teams, but...

Went to the dentist today to get a couple of cavities filled on one side of the mouth.  I have a small one on the other side, and they were like "we're going to watch and wait."  And I was like "Um, let's get this fixed."  I know I do not have the best teeth, but cavities are not bank accounts.  So after Christmas I will get it handled.  I hope.

Did a nice pile of paperwork for the OC today -- checks, invoices, emails, etc.  Of course, as I like to say, next week there will be another pile, but today, at least, everything is caught up.  December is going to be almost as busy as November (in a usual year and not the hot mess of SNAP-less) and thus we ordered more, etc.  Nice thing about canned goods is that they can remain a while.  The freezers were full from the pickups, again a relic of the weekend.... which not a bad thing, unless our pickups are extensive again.

¡No Pasarán!: Thanksgiving Controversy: What Nobody Tells You About Indians and the Natives of North America
I get a kick out of articles like this; I think we all know that the First Peoples were just as bad -- if not worse -- as the European settlers, and as the article mentioned...they slaughtered their way across the continent first, not that anyone notices now...