Setting Not Settling

Late night for me -- I made a jello for a family fest, and we all know how I am about every layer setting and being just right.  That means every layer has to set, and that takes time.  More time than I thought, as I did much but not all of what I wanted to do while making it.  Unfortunate, because I wanted to clear out more emails, links, etc.; at least I got the dishes done, some OC paperwork handled, and a corner of the table has been cleared off.  I even filled the paper box for the recycle bin, which took some work.  I am a bit tired, but will be more tired tomorrow...but the jello looked good (letting it set now), and that is what matters.

Experts Warn Mamdani’s High-Stakes Vote Could Trigger a NYC Housing Crisis
Another thing that can happen is that apartment owners will sell their units into co-ops -- people who buy -- and force the tenants on the street.  I wonder what would happen then... not good, I am sure, but markets find a way of working, no matter who is in charge...

The Mars Delusion

This was a fascinating read.  I guess I would say that while it is unlikely that we settle Mars, it isn't as if we shouldn't try.  I mean, there are other scientific discoveries we could make, and even if we only make it to the Moon, we are better off.  Hell, if we put ALL of the Democrats there (whether it was habitable or not), think of how much better Earth would be!  :)

Catching Up

Three days and no posting...tsk tsk.  Monday I just crashed and Tuesday my sister and I had dinner.  As part of Cleveland Burger Week, I found a place -- Jojo Carlone's in Berea -- that had a marsala burger, which seemed interesting to me...and we met.  It was good -- burger a bit greasy, and the marsala was a little understated (I would think that red meat is less absorptive) but it was fine.  We caught up on stuff, yay!  And, yesterday I went to bed early as I had some fasting lab work to do and of course I wanted it done first thing this AM, so... 

Now I am awake, as I stayed up to watch the US World Cup match -- superfluous as it was -- and of course I fell asleep.  Missed the equalizer but did not miss the loser... alas.  I guess it was good in that no one got hurt, yellow and red cards, etc.  I guess it is cool that we advance -- I will never not root against Team USA -- but when this ends...I will be relieved.  This game is incredibly boring...

Long week so far, and a busy weekend already.  Summer is really flying by -- June is almost done!  I am behind on my reading, but have caught up with the paperwork.  Dare I say I am already looking forward to next weekend; with the off days and such, I might be able to rest and catch up on things.  Not bloody likely, of course...

Funny, one of my friends -- he and his family went to Gettysburg last weekend, and being the buff that I am we chatted about it.  I joked about Dan Sickles, but if you think about it, he is one in a long series of American antiheroes; I would put Aaron Burr as among the first, but Sickles is up there.  Certainly, Dan had an interesting tale, but I don't think he won the battle.  If anything, he certainly shit the bed, but (like John Reynolds getting killed before he could answer for disobeying orders) losing a leg and being able to tell your story to sympathetic Democrats (no matter the time, they are always up to no good) is a good way to evade criticism.

Hours

Good weekend, sort of; I didn't sleep well, or long, and I am feeling it today.  Friday was the usual, and Saturday was not helped by a 3AM low blood sugar alarm -- I had been sleeping fitfully (eventually) and poof, there, and there we go.  Oi.  Oh well.  I am getting slightly tired now, and I think I will crash suddenly.

Friday was the World Cup, and Team USA won.  This is good -- moving on to the SemiFinal round, if you will, is what you want.  I give soccer credit; the game was fairly boring, and then there is just enough excitement that you think something will happen, and it doesn't.  Oi.  Saturday I woke up an hour later than expected -- slept through the alarm -- and I hate to say it, but I was slightly off-kilter all day.  Everything was just behind; gym, bank, errands... all was behind.  I did some work this weekend, and I think I could have used an extra hour, even if just to better go through the email pile.  I did go through the email pile on my personal account, and the links, and we all know how I feel about that.  I even did some SVDP stuff, though that just generated more work.

Speaking of more work... last week we had a bag drop off -- you drop paper bags off at Mass, and people take them and fill them with canned goods.  I gave the second homily at some of the Masses...anyways, we had about 30 bags of canned goods in the back of the church today.  A fairly impressive pile, as most of them were quite full!  Of course, the problem was that we all whose job it was to take them to the OC.  I took an hour (more of that time!) to put everything away; at least we have 30 more paper bags at the OC (I even saved the paper attachments for next time, as my frugality knows no bounds).  More seriously, I was quite pleased by the response, and I even have some people who want to volunteer on Saturdays (so I can retire).

‘They Don’t Know How to Accept Him’: Vivek Ramaswamy Navigates Identity in Ohio - POLITICO
Dare I say that I have had this thought myself?  And, no, it shouldn't be an issue, but this is OH, the GOP (even if I suspect most of these types are former Democrats), and this is an election year.  And, as I like to say, a blue wave, so... it does add a level of unnecessary complexity to the equation.

The New Right Has a Blueprint for Building a Christian America - POLITICO
All while I was reading this, I couldn't help but reflect on the long tradition of utopian communities in the US.  Most of them come from the left, and I cannot recall a one that is around today.  This would be cool if it works, but I do not think it will...

Trump’s Lasting Legacy Is Trump Himself - NOTUS — News of the United States
Yes, this is something of a problem, especially when Trump is now unpopular.  There are ways to solve this, but I do not think POTUS will agree, which is also a problem...

Europeans in the US for the World Cup Are Celebrating American Culture—Specifically, Red America's Culture
Exactly correct!

Dining Out

Yet another late night, but with a pile of paperwork done, bills paid, checks written, grants applied for... etc.  Well, such is leadership.  Anyways, tonight I also had dinner with my sister -- her pick, and she selected The Club House in Parma Heights.  I had heard about it for its chicken paprikash, and it was quite good.  We both discussed that there are fewer places that serve dishes like this nowadays, so... places that do will do even better.  They had a few interesting things on the menu, so I would consider going back.

Last night (ok, Wednesday night) Team Eleven returned to the fold, going to the Wine Spot in the PSRCH for Pub Quiz.  Team Eleven led at the half, fell behind, and -- powered by a sweep of the NASCAR question in the final round (my guesses played a key role), we pulled off the win.  It was glorious, as we had not played in a while (my fault) and a win on the road... I offered to waive the non-Pride victory banner there, which went over fairly well amongst the more progressive members of the team.

In other news, the pushback on the Iran deal -- especially on the GOP side -- is impressive.  I am not surprised by it, given how poor it is.  To be sure, there are already signs of it fraying, which would permit more bombing.  Not that they do not deserve it, but as what has been done has not exactly brought them to their knees...to be sure, gas prices are falling -- just in time for the midterms, I am sure, and that is what matters.

Changes Afoot

 Polling the Divide: Republicans, Democrats, and the Future of Democracy | The City Club of Cleveland | June 16, 2026
This was quite interesting.  For one, the City Club having two conservatives in a year?  I hardly think that they are turning over a new leaf, but... still.  Actually, it was sort of engrossing, and I do think he made some points.  Going at it with the guests was entertaining.  Some of these people are... well, I am not surprised they hang out there.

QB Brendan Sorsby will be draft eligible, does he fit with Browns? – Terry Pluto - cleveland.com
This could be me, but the last thing the Browns need is a quarterback with...off-the-field issues.  I guess it is an improvement that the team is saying "thanx but no thanx," though I can only imagine the drama this caused the front office to decide on this one.

Is it me, or do I feel that the peace plan with Iran is simply that to end the shooting (mostly) and get gas prices down (hopefully) before the election?  Mind you, that is a fine a goal as any, but... I do not think we will have achieved much, especially if (as I suspect) the Iranians will re-start their nuclear program as soon as they can.  To be sure, if gas prices come down and the pace of inflation slows, and if the peace lasts... well, it would be a foreign policy triumph of sorts, even if it was one of his creation.  Not that the Iranians did not need a thrashing, but if it is not complete and total...

Kicking It Around

I couldn't help but notice that there were four World Cup games today...and four ties.  With the exception of the goals scored...well, soccer heaven, I am sure.  In the meantime, at the College World Series... Troy -- the only non-power conference team -- is still in, beating Ole Miss.  I am sure some other SEC school will win in the end, but...for now, this is cool.  And, they do things like win and score runs.   

Republicans Say Voter ID Debate Is Done: What's Next?
This could be me, but if 80% of Americans want this -- and certainly 80% of Republicans want this -- and we can't get this done... we have major problems.  They talk about a blue wave (I certainly do) but how can you get people excited if you have all of the pieces in place and nothing can happen?  Good Lord, you should get your ass kicked if you can't get the basics done.

I have to admit, I am still getting a kick out of all those videos showing visitors to the US being wowed by the country -- the food, the sights, etc.  It is pretty cool, and there are some things we do well, at least.

Brendan Sorsby, Texas Tech mutually part ways after gambling scandal, legal fallout
This is interesting.  Not exactly surprised, but I have to ask.. what was the point of all of this?  I mean, if he wanted a bigger pile of money... he got it.  Not sure what TTU thought they were going to get; I think I would have liked to have seen this thing play out, with them playing four MAC schools or something, but I suspect we saw what would have happened, and this just pre-empted the inevitable.  Though, as I so often say, we all love a train wreck...

Picnic Time

Good but busy day today.  Parish picnic, and I was helping out with the grill, setup, and cleanup.  There were not a lot of Polish parishioners who showed up, but there were quite a few more from the English-speaking community, so it worked out well in the end.  I think I was a bit more tired than I thought, between the running around, the heat from the grill, etc... I have a smidge of leftovers that will be lunch tomorrow, and all were pleased by the turnout.  Phew.

I took some leftovers to the Absolute House and then it was off to the OC for a bit -- I was asked at 7:15PM last night to take some canned goods to someone who called the help hotline for SVDP.  I didn't know what to do at first, but I realized I could take the client from the OC (accounting for it as a one-time only delivery) and that would help, to say nothing of reminding everyone that senior leadership is not just ordering people around.  We have some Peeps floating around the OC, so I took several for the kids.  I have to admit, the client was just meh about the delivery, but her kids -- the look on their faces when they saw the Peeps even softened my hard heart slightly.  Then it was off to the gym and then home to catch up on a bunch of things.

I also had to give the second homily yesterday and today -- we are doing a canned goods drive and I was asked to explain it and maybe drum up some business.  It was funny; I made a joke about how rapidly I speak, several people agreed with me, but Fr. Steve told me to slow down.... anyways, it went well enough (I hope), and we will see what comes in going forward...