On Politics
With a third of the US Senate up for re-election,there is a consistency that makes me chuckle. Republicans are linking their Democratic opponents to President Obama. That means elect me to a 6-year term because the President Obama has 2 years remaining.
Earlier this week I saw my first TV ad for Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in which he didn’t mention President Obama.
Despite the fact that Congress has lower approval rating than President Obama, the majority of the incumbents will win re-election.
This Week’s Headlines from The Onion
Olympic swimmer Phelps banned from having any contact with water for 6 months
Man wishes there wasn’t so much blank room on anniversary card
Local oaf not sure which part of counter to place order
Documentary viewer can’t wait to find out which 4 lads from Liverpool changed music forever
Serial killer makes an impassioned case for protecting local marsh
Nation’s cuckolded husbands gear up for first day of hunting season with wives’ lovers
The Onion’s list of must-watch fall TV shows includes Lamp Wars, Dance Baboons, and Pumpkin Patch Pickers.
Interesting Reads
Creationism’s disjointed science
An interview with Mikahil Gorbachev
Hummingbird madness
Improve wasting time
Herbert Hoover and the Colorado River
On Potpourri
A tip of the cap to the New England Patriots for generosity. During a commercial break, the team showed a video of Leah Still, the young daughter of a player on the opposing team with a rate cancer. Following the video, the crowd cheered, the Patriot cheerleaders were Still’s #75, and the Patriot owner donated $25,000 to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Interestingly, the Cincinnati Bengals can’t keep up on stocking #75 jerseys as 100% of sales go to a Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and pediatric cancer care and research. Yes … like many, Devon Still (the player and father) shed tears on the sidelines.
Speaking of Cincinnati, I’ve set our DVR as Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on Food Network features my city in a new episode. Check your listings, but the first airing of the “One Street Wonders” episode is Friday night at 10 pm (Eastern US). Here’s a link to the episode schedule at Food Network.
I really like the Delta Airline commercial titled No Bag Left Behind. For those who haven’t seen it, click here.
Leaves are starting to turn, then make their way to the ground; which means this will be my year (since 1987) when I’m not on a twice-a-week 6-to-8-week mission of dealing with fallen leaves. … so NO … I’m not going to miss that!
I had a great view to watch Wednesday morning’s lunar eclipse. But after the moon was completely in the shadow, it ducked behind a tree.
I’ll have another attempt for Life: The Musical next week … well, as long as I remember to announce the acceptable words on Monday for the Play theme.
Hey hey hey … a Saturday Morning Cartoon post will be there for your Saturday.
Your weekend celebrations
- (Fri) Handbag Day, Egg Day, Mental Health Day, Emergency Nurses Day, Newspaper Carrier, Porridge Day, Homeless Day, Angel Food Cake Day
- (Sat) Coming Out Day, Costume Swap Day, Family Bowling Day, Southern Food Heritage Day, Music Day, Food Truck Day, Sausage Pizza Day, It’s My Party Day, You Go Girl Day
- (Sun) Frustration Scream Day, Scream & Shout Day, Day of the Six Billion, Clergy Appreciation Day, Free Thought Day
To send you into the weekend, here’s a classic hit. Interestingly, it was part of an LP released in 1972 on the Wooden Nickel record label. Oh, of course, it must be Lady by Styx. Have a safe weekend and in the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.
Frank, your posts should come with a warning: don’t read when you’re tired. Because there are so very many things to look at and to click on.
It’s also a good song, that I can play as Zjohn is not in the room 😉
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Elyse,
Ah come on … at least one of those article could have put you to sleep! … and oh no … Lady is another song that John doesn’t like?
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There are a million songs John doesn’t like. Sigh. But I need to go back and click on some of these articles. You always offer good ones!
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Let me know if I ever pick a John-approved song.
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Ok. I will!
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Another warning should be: No Lifeguard on Duty, Don’t Read While Eating/Drinking (lest choking occur). I don’t do angel food cake, so was thinking I might make a pineapple upside down cake instead….
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Ponder,
I like angel food cake, but not as much as typical cake … but I also like pineapple upside down cake!
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Why is there so much blank room on cards? I just want to sign my name and be done with it. And egg day. Does that mean eat them or throw them?
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TBM,
Oh no … don’t throw the eggs … well, mainly I don’t want to be accused of inciting an incident! As far as the blank room on cards, ah come on … you’re a writer … at least fill the card with nonsense. 😉
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I can’t click on the videos this morning, as Sara is trying to upload video via our insanely slow wifi. At any rate, I can’t wait to read some of the pieces your recommend–the creationism one is bound to be fascinating. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend.
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
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Kathy,
Good morning Ecuador! Don’t forget … insanely slow wifi is better than no Internet … but I’m sure the two of you have figured out ways to adjust. Of course you can return to read the article. Enjoy your weekend!
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The interview with Mikahil was interesting, I have always thought he was an interesting leader. The rest of the articles were good, especially Hummingbird Madness; they are much smarter it seems than humans.
Serial killer makes an impassioned case for protecting local marsh; after this one who could top it?
Handbag day? I am on it, I am certain I must need another one.
Have a great weekend Frank.
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Val … I’m with you about the Gorbachev article … but unlike you, I will not embrace Handbag Day … And a reminder, it wasn’t Buy a New Handbag Day, thus you can just show off one of your current ones.
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Dang it Frank, always throwing me a curve ball.
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CHEERS for the interesting read, “An interview with Mikahil Gorbachev,” BOO’s for the read, “Creationism’s disjointed science” which broke your promise to not get me started on Creationism, and THANKS for reminding me to on Sunday celebrate “Frustration Scream Day” with the bumper sticker, “In cyberspace, no one can hear you scream!”
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Tim,
Glad you enjoyed the Gorbachev article. Meanwhile, if you didn’t want to get started about creationism, who shouldn’t have clicked the article … so you will have to wait until Sunday to scream your self-inflicted frustration.
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I would like to have a video of the hunting trip if you could arrange it. Great post as usual.
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John,
LOL on me because I’m thinking “What hunting trip is John thinking about?” …. but then I finally remembered The Onion headline. Just had to share.
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Loved the Delta commercial, but I couldn’t help wondering what that bag would really look like after it had been squashed between all the other bags in the hold. 😕 This week’s Onion headlines, are priceless. 😀 Have a great weekend, Frank.
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Sylvia,
Great point about the luggage … and given your thought, it was obviously the bag’s first trip … nonetheless, that’s an easy commercial for me to enjoy.
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kudos to the team for that effort for Still.
anti-kudos to Phelps for his choices.
kudos to nature for the great Moon show.
HA..the Onion strikes again. This caught my eye.
“Man wishes there wasn’t so much blank room on anniversary card.”
We celebrate our 33rd anniv. today. What to write…what to write. ???
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Jim,
The Still story has gotten so much national traction. While we were in NY state in early September, the lady running taste room started talking about what the team did by keeping him as soon as we said we were from Cincinnati.
Most importantly … Happy Anniversary to the two of you!!!! …. and I imagine you have a fun day planned.
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PS: … Just as soon as I entered the previous reply, HLN just did a short bit on the player, and it appears the story will be a segment on Rachel Nichols show on CNN tonight (Friday) at 10:30 pm.
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I have no envy for Ohio-dwellers (Ohioans? Ohiodes? Ohioties?) during any campaign season… it doesn’t help that you get another state’s ads as well!
I have been a long-time advocate of the benefit of semi-mindless tasks that free up the rest of my brain to do some thinking without being bothered — I am quite happy to see some academic research back me up! My personal recommendations are FreeCell, Minesweeper, Tetris… though I am probably dating myself.
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Twixt,
We are Ohioans … and in state stuff has been very mild … even with a governor’s race … then again, the Dems put up what turned out to be a noncandidate. … and whew … lots of money being spent by both sides for the Kentucky’s Senate seat … and many are in the negative form. Fortunately, only a small segment of Ohioans get the ads from Kentucky … but I’m in the unfortunate group.
Meanwhile, cheers to your belief in mindless activities … and I admit that FreeCell is good to put me to sleep.
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That’s a shame… I’d much prefer Ohioties (rhyming with “coyotes”). I’m still looking for something to call my fellow New Jersey dwellers, but nothing nearly as cool as “Ohioties” fits.
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It’s not New Jerseyites?
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It might be… or New Jerseyans… but there doesn’t seem to be any clear consensus.
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Loved that group and specially that song… but was it that long ago… 1972… jeeez I’m getting old….
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Bulldog,
You’re not getting old … but the Styx is!
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It is definitely Mental Health Day here at The Grind, Frank. Neither my colleague, Godsend, nor my boss is in today: I have the office all to myself. I can now sleep undisturbed at my desk! … Not exactly, the phone rings and people do come around, but at least I can read your blog without much interruption.
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Lame,
Mental Health at The Grind Day sounds like perfect timing … especially the the NYC Film Festival draining some of your energy. Don’t forget the Interesting Reads article about improving wasting your time.
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Mental Health Day! Welcomed idea after seeing all the totally illogical political signs going up. (When are people going to stand up and scream “Stop saying how much better education will be if we pick you!” Always the promises, promises to rally educators and parents when the result is always the same: 0…..and ditto about “improving traffic” locally….Candidates, we know which offices have absolutely nothing to do with either of those situations – so how about talking about the issues that you can actually directly address and fix ( and how about saying exactly what you plan to do….Oh. nothing?)
As you say, the political goofiness has no end in sight. Luckily there’s TV? Pumpkin Patch Pickers? Mush heads may offer some insight – or a least a few laughs?
Hope your weekend is wacky and fun
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Mouse,
“Political goofyness” says it all … besides, they want to use slogans for votes without providing commitment or details. Actually a brilliant plan because most voters are either clueless or partisan (thus take the words as they are).
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Our city council elections are the source of much amusement. The city has nothing to do with either running/policies of the local school District or mosquito spraying (county’s area).
One idiot put in writing he wants to charge parents with children a special tax as they use more resources and “it’s only fair.” (among other grating/not legal proposals in his “plan”…Wait. He will blame his loss on anti-immigrant/anti-terrorist feelings…my head hurts already.) But then again many voters don’t think as you said in that last paragraph.
But happier things to dance about, right?
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Nothing like a politician making a big stink out of something they have no control over. Pathetic … then again … probably not the first time that has happened, or the last.
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But hey – Italian festival, Big art on the bayou festival.Octoberfest..great distractions locally…or paths back to normal life? (enjoyed the giggles, Frank – home the weekend has gone well.)
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“Man wishes there wasn’t so much blank room on anniversary card”—Ha, that made me laugh out loud. Surprisingly, my husband does very well filling up that blank space. Right before he gives me some chocolate. 🙂
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Carrie,
Good to know that Mr. Rubin has the gift to write from his heart and then win the day with chocolate.
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That song brings me back to my youth. I’m smiling…thanks!
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Lorna,
That’s my primary aim for the music in this Friday series!
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Mission accomplished!
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Holding out for Grapefruit Olive Oil Cake day……
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Cynthia,
Oh my my … but be careful what you wish for … besides I found this recipe for you … http://casayellow.com/2012/02/06/a-grapefruit-olive-oil-cake-for-a-cold-winter-day/ … have you had this cake before?
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Yes, I’ve had this cake, and baked this cake….an heirloom from an old Italian lady 🙂
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Cheers to that. I admit that when you mentioned it, I had to search it to see if it was real.
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Documentary viewer can’t wait to find out which 4 lads from Liverpool changed music forever–good one! I hope you have a good weekend, Frank, and I look forward to Life: The Musical. Great song choice for the weekend. I got married in 1972. When I hear the music from that time I feel quite young despite the fact that was 42 years ago. Yikes!
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Debra,
I thought of you when I saw the headline about the documentary viewer! … so cheers … we connected. Cheers to your team’s 42-year longevity! … and yep … I’m looking forward to the continuation of Life: The Musical … yet I wonder how many more acts there will be because I don’t want it to go on forever.
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I read this…then passed over it, thinking.., ah.why bother commenting….but it is humorous, in a way, that you say “I don’ t want it to go on forever” in a musical about Life! Actually, the act that ends it is death. But dare we sing about that aspect of life?
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Cynthia,
Well .. you guessed the last act … but the only question is the number of acts before it … but I don’t plan on extending this musical too long.
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Angel food cake is our all time favorite birthday cake with chocolate frosting ~ have a good one Frank.
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Mary,
Hope someone in the family has a birthday coming soon.
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As a matter of fact they do, in two weeks and guess what we’ll be having!
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I would like to give a thumbs up to your link to Improve wasting time, Frank. I have personally noticed that non-demanding tasks are beneficial to my thinking about issues in my life, including health problems, blogging, scheduling, and investing. But my own tasks don’t include cat videos, as in the article. What works best for me are shaving my face every morning and playing solitaire on the computer.
In the case of solitaire, I play Klondike Draw 3, but with my own modifications (which the software accepts). These exceptions include replaying cards as needed from the four suit stacks and backing up one step if two options present for a given play and the first doesn’t result in a subsequent play. The result is, for me at least, a more interesting game with a win percentage of 15% to 20%. As in the linked article, I find problems often seem to sort themselves out better in the aftermath. Or, at least I think they do. 🙂
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Jim,
Cheers to your joy for the role of mindless activities. i actually play FreeCell before sleeping. Thanks for the suggestion of Klondike Draw 3!
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On politics – Can’t wait for this election season to be over. I’m sick & tired of the negative campaigns – especially the ones that have nothing to do with agendas or policies. How childish!
And – the ANNOYamous phone calls – UGH!
On potpourri – YAY to the NE Patriots, Cin Bangels & all those supporting the cause. All the best to Devon’s daughter & the family.
Due to a ^&*%$^#@! migraine – I stayed in bed through the lunar eclipse. Maybe I’ll catch it next time…
Have a great new week!
{Hugs}
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RoSy,
Oh yes … you have a big governor’s race going on, which I imagine sucks up a lot of airtime. Good luck! … and unfortunately, your migraine probably isn’t tied to the election.
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