Happy Holidays everyone! Do remember the old advice - friends don't let friends drink and shop. Not alone, anyway.
Comments
Trump:
The Wall is different than the 25 Billion Dollars in Border Security. The complete Wall will be built with the Shutdown money plus funds already in hand. The reporting has been inaccurate on the point. The problem is, without the Wall, much of the rest of Dollars are wasted!
My daughter and I had to run to her ATN, then put gas in my car, then Kroger for extra chili fixings since we may have the granddaughters stopping by this evening plus we got hot dogs for my little grandson, also added a bottle of gin and win, then to my sister's to pay her for last night's dinner and pick up my daughter's car.
Unloaded the car and got the chili in the crock pot and put a load of laundry in. Now to wrap a few more presents and do dishes. We have to get out of here in an hour to get to the ballet.
Donald J. Trump
Verified account @realDonaldTrump
33m33 minutes ago
Saudi Arabia has now agreed to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria, instead of the United States. See? Isn’t it nice when immensely wealthy countries help rebuild their neighbors rather than a Great Country, the U.S., that is 5000 miles away. Thanks to Saudi A!
Donald J. Trump
Verified account @realDonaldTrump
24m24 minutes ago
I am all alone (poor me) in the White House waiting for the Democrats to come back and make a deal on desperately needed Border Security. At some point the Democrats not wanting to make a deal will cost our Country more money than the Border Wall we are all talking about. Crazy!
Our close friend here in Berkeley had to put down her border collie gal dawg on Dec 21. Sissy was such a wonderful animal. She was big sis to her fellow dawgz, 2 other rescues who lived at home with our close friend.
we took Anya over the day after Sissy left. Anya spent the better part of an hour looking for Sissy around their spacious yard and their home. She picked up her bones, her chew toys, and other trappings, carrying them about during her search.
Anya finally gave up the ghost and laid down in Sissy's bed. it induced a big cry from Sissy's mommy and it was all i could do to maintain my composure. i can't imagine living without Anya. i remember what it was like to lose 7 dogs in 8 years as a kid.(car injuries).
heart goes out to all who've experienced this kind of loss. i think it was JiB who mentioned "A Dog's Life" as a great way to frame what happens when our amigos leave. the book and the movie are incredibly soothing.
Wouldn't Christmas be just a bit merrier if the Hyena-Lying Jackal Media reported the political, diplomatic, and military developments on the Syrian matter---
think of the positive impact on military families if our Republic, en masse, celebrated the skill of our CIC and the achievements of our Armed Forces (despite the sell outs by generals and former presidents and diplomats over the past 50 plus years?
think of the impact on the national character and how it would inspire young people to want to serve our country in the military.
Merry Christmas, everyone! I am at the office--all alone, just like Trump--but it is very pleasant listening to "quiet Christmas piano music" on my new blue tooth speaker which I got Free!! at a Jaguar marketing event. My daughter was invited to drive these gas guzzlers as well as the new electric I-Pace (very nice if you want to spend that much) and she graciously invited me to go along. We got goody bags with stuff including the little blue tooth speaker--nice!!
Well, I got everything done (proving I can move fast when I need to) and I am all gussied-up and ready to go. Daughter is still getting ready due to her eye make-up. LOL!
I hope all of you have a pleasant Christmas Eve. I will check in with the ballet reviews when we get home.
Daughter won these tickets in a drawing at her work. We even get valet parking! I assume these will be good seat.
The ghost of Christmas past has been seen, tweeting incoherent jibberish:
Egg McMuffin
My first apple pie of the season. I’m calling it Justice. Made in accordance with baking law and with patient diligence, enduring American ingredients, and plenty of heat.
Thank you jimmyk@ 1:54; I am recovering very nicely. The best part is I finished my month long antibiotic regimen, which was, I swear, changing my personality.
Enjoy Lake Placid. Somewhere in that town is a wine shop, Terry Robards', which is run by a retired NYTimes wine critic. How do I know? A college friend lives near there.
Have been out to pick up baked goods for christmas eve and just wanted to update momto2 that the buche noel has a tiny woodland deer on it as part of its decorations.
Red pronounced it 'adorable' and is very happy.
Sounds like that bakery - they do things right and they taste great, too! I didn't get one this year as we are doing lots of baking. I just took my praline pumpkin pie out of the oven.
Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy . . . he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
There are factory jobs that cannot be automated like the formed hose production for your radiator hoses. What they can do is cut waste and increase the production rate, raise prices or ship the jobs to a lower labor cost country.
Friday nights round here, Pin, but I get your drift.
One of the nice things about Celebrate Recovery is it isn't just alcohol or drugs; it's also people recovering from all sorts of life's storms. Helping people with hurts, hangups and habits, I believe is their mission statement.
Is it wrong for me to dream of James Comey in one of those old Jimmy Cagney prison movies getting steam pressed in the prison laundry when Jimmy finds out the dirty copper who put him away is now stamping license plates too?
And the screws all turn their backs while the deed is done cuz they can't stand the dirty jailbird either.
I'd love to see him in the scene in White Heat where Jimmy Cagney gives his kidnapped stool pigeon locked in the trunk a little air by ventilating the trunk lid with his 45 but I'm not sure you could fold Comey up enough to squeeze him in there.
I simply connected an "outdoor" antenna (installed in the attic) I did that too. Finally went up there last month when reception was poor, and the thing had stopped turning after a year. Half our stations are to the SE, half to the West, none of them within 30 miles.
We have a high-quality analog TV with a converter box that gets better reception above a digital one on the floor with a Roku. I might be a redneck.
We've been watching Midsomer Murders on Netflix, and that damn music is stuck in my head. Too many bodies drop, as in Morse, but most of the suspects/victims are obnoxious so you don't care.
I had a high quality 35" analog TV that was just too heavy to move.
When Buckeyette's movers were also instructed to dispose of anything she wasn't taking to Chicago, I took advantage of the situation to have them take it off my hands.
To talk about men taking risks, I know what is meant. But I'm watching this video featuring a woman who used to work for Homeland Security dismissing profiling. I guess modern women are willing to take the collective risk that they won't be the victim. Like the gals hiking in Morocco.
Yes, the YouTube channel is Atheism Is Unstoppable talking about Islam, but what are you gonna do: https://youtu.be/UcGNtLvAshE
Fired up the P bass through the Marshall. I had been planning my Ibanez acoustic... been a while. The classic filter at 11 is sublime. Merry Christmas to all!
For podcast listeners, you might want to check out The Right Side of History. It's not really "red meat" (here's what lefties say and why they are wrong). It's more "uplifting" (events or people in US history that are interesting or inspiring but not framed politically).
I occasionally see discussions here on military hardware. I had a discussion with a BIL this weekend who I think those so inclined might find interesting.
He works for Rolls Royce. He works on the 'lift program' for the F35B. That is the part of the program that does STOVL.
He works outta Ft. Worth mating the lift units, which are made in Indy, up with the airframes.
He says the Japs and South Koreans are there all the time. He said everytime they show up they lift beers in their honor as it means more work for them.
I am pretty sure their both gonna plant F35B's on their quasi carriers.
Good afternoon and Merry Christmas! We opened presents early. The daughter got me a robotic vacuum,which is great on the tile floor. The dog's reaction is hilarious. We can't stop laughing.
Found out this AM when I leapt out of bed that a CO detector is also a smashed snow globe detector. Thanks 🐱. Feline emesis on the carpet fringe was nice, too.
"Fifty years ago today, on Christmas Eve, 1968, three astronauts—William Anders, James Lovell, and Frank Borman—orbited the moon on the Apollo 8 mission. They sent back a Christmas broadcast to earth that was heard by millions around the world. And their selected message paid tribute to the one who deserves all the glory and praise for what he has made—our Creator."
Kev, I think we are talking semantics. When you step into an AA meeting, sometimes, not all the time, you are stepping into recovery. It helps you to maintain that recovery through the 12 Steps and having a sponsor and going to meetings.
A lot of people go through formal treatment programs with AA as a part of their treatment and recovery. AA is the best long term program out there from what I have seen but as with all chronic illnesses, the danger of relapse is always there. So we help them get back on their feet and back into their recovery.
We are discussing the SA model as well on a public scale, but the issue in CA is that Prop 47 removed the stick; now there are no consequences for a lot of crimes.
Give the individual a choice; 6 months to a year in jail or in a program like SA. It's tough, but they do life skills training and help in the process of rebuilding self-respect, a big part of it.
Growing up during the grand era of the American Space Program, and the advent of new technologies, there were certain media moments that affirmed many of our beliefs in Our Creator---- such moments came with the publication in National Geographic and Life magazines of camera shots of earth from space AND the intr-uterine camera shots of living human beings in their fetal stages.
Apollo 8 was a huge event, capping off that remarkable year of 1968. Borman, Lovell, and Anders were heroes and household names, less than 2 years after the disaster of Apollo 1. The first time traveling to the moon, the first time seeing the far side. They're all still alive, two of them 90 years old.
The ballet was fabulous! It was performed in the Murat Temple Thearer:
The interior is done in the Arabesque-Moorish style from the 1920's, with lots of carving, stained glass, etc.
We had excellent seats n the first balcony very close to the stage, close enough we could see the dancers' faces and MUSCLES.
Quite a few Eurasian faces in the company, I assume drawn from the Eastern part of Russia.
Highly skilled dancers, but the standouts were the ones who did the Moorish dance. They were really artistic gymnasts. I cannot even describe the movements they did, but they were breathtaking.
Beautiful costumes with an emphasis on RUSSIA! Also, they seemed to have caught on to capitalism, as you could buy a commemorative nutcracker for 50 bucks plus they have a line of sterling silver jewelry with Swarovski crystals. And you could pay to get your picture taken with one of the stars. LOL!
We had a great time. Velat parking is the cat's meow!
Christmas Eve briefing with my team working on North Korea – Progress being made. Looking forward to my next summit with Chairman Kim! pic.twitter.com/zPTtDbrP0o
--Kev, my remembrance of National Geographic was the big fold out maps you got and the pictures of native girl's boobies.--
There's a way to tie that into the news.
The Andaman Islands, where the guy recently was killed for preaching the gospel were featured in a Nat Geo article when I was a lad.
There was one young woman, in an old black and white photo from the turn of the 20th century who was spectacularly endowed in a way my young eyes had not previously witnessed and though they most certainly did not "benefit" from any artificial enhancement they also certainly were carried with the grace and poise of a seasoned athlete.
Donald J. Trump
Verified account @realDonaldTrump
42m42 minutes ago
I am in the Oval Office & just gave out a 115 mile long contract for another large section of the Wall in Texas. We are already building and renovating many miles of Wall, some complete. Democrats must end Shutdown and finish funding. Billions of Dollars, & lives, will be saved!
Griffin is an acknowledged academic nerd. Seven degrees over a span of 20 years. I have been and seen that process. What does it accomplish in terms of executive management skills, and understanding of historical outcomes?
He may be a forward thinker but egg heads make me nervous since I am a survivor of McNamara’s Vietnam folly.
From the article, keep Griffin where he is. There is a lot of room for technical improvement in the procurement process and weapons design. Progress was made since the early 90s when I was a grad student on a study of private sector vs Pentagon engineering practice / shifting to digital engineering cycles from paper. A quick look at DevOps at AWS shows the private sector hasn’t sit still. The F35 ( then Joint Strike Fighter) was a maim program 25 years ago... and is just coming live. Now that I wrote that, grab some under VP at AWS and put them in charge of tech and procurement. That would ramp things up noticeably. Then get a warrior to be SecDef.
Spengler is right about microelectronics, but I don't know if he is about quantum computing. The former is definitely something we dominated in, and we lost that dominance over the course of my career in the industry. (It wasn't entirely my fault!) The latter is, and has been for a long time, a buzz-word in search of gov't funding. Maybe it'll be a groundbreaking thing, but I've known people working fruitlessly on it for decades.
As for microelectronics, the feds have a need for so-called "trusted microelectronics," and their rules require that they be built on-shore, by an American company, by Americans. Due to industry consolidation, the fact that IBM sold out to Dubai-owned GLOBALFOUNDRIES, and the fact that the gov't requirements are too small to warrant a major effort by the remaining leading-edge American companies like Intel or Micron, this is no longer viable without a paradigm shift.
Worries about China have prompted defensive measures, but the U.S. needs better coordination of technology projects across the government, according to experts.
If anyone here has any experiences with dealing with interventions we had nieces pleading for one involving their mom. Stories were hard to hear. Both girls refuse to live with their mom who has been trying to hide that act from rest of family.
As others have said, the person has to want to get better. Even then, the odds are not in the favor for those trying to get Clean or Sober (or whatever other vernacular is out there). The odds I was given in 1989 while in treatment: 1 of out 10 would stay clean/sober for 1 year, only 50/50 making it to the 2nd year, but odds go up every year after that (1 would use and die, 8 would use and maybe make it back to treatment/recovery meetings but maybe not). These odds played out completely, knew the one guy who would die and he did (unfortunately).
An intervention, much like a "nudge from the judge", can help plant the seeds of recovery to sprout later (hopefully). If the person is trying to hide it, then they may already know they have a problem (and "tough love" may break-thru to the person). "Hitting bottom" is basically a requirement and just what "hitting bottom" means is different for each person. Being shown how far I had gone away from GOD was good enough for me (READ: Spiritual Death). I checked myself into a treatment center about 1 week later (5'10" 128 lbs) and been clean/sober ever since (29 years now).
I wanted to get better and have in many ways, although working through another 4th Step now has shown me things to work on. I hadn't even considered them but are very important for my current and future growth. I have become someone that I never thought I could through the Recovery Process.
Heh. Never even heard of that, Henry. I thought you were referring to SEMATECH, another boondoggle, led by people I knew, and ultimately by an asshole I've known for a long time, who I'm proud to say I metaphorically stilletto'd at the ignominious end of his career.
bubarooni: be as crass as you like. makes me no never mind. but that's what you dig about me, right? :D
i was fortunate growing up in the unincorporated "cherryland" district between Hayward and San Lorenzo, about 8 miles from Berkeley.
there was a park directly across the street where beats and hippie forerunners of "the Flower Children", and various militant political factions hung out.
bare-chested females of all stripes on weekends packed the place, especially on warm days and nights.
NatGeo couldn't hold a candle to that scene.
then there was my schoolmate Tanya who lived in the lot behind us.
she insisted on keeping me abreast of her development from 5th grade (65-66) until they moved away in 8th grade (68-69)...just when things were getting interesting.
the altar boy next door was her forbidden fruit; and, i guess i was a compliant easy mark. the prodigal son got a jump start in grade school.
"Ahhh but i was so much older then, i'm younger than that now."
a simpler, more direct time. :D (oh but wait! does this mean i'll get Kavanaughed when i run for Governor of Califas?)
Trump:
The Wall is different than the 25 Billion Dollars in Border Security. The complete Wall will be built with the Shutdown money plus funds already in hand. The reporting has been inaccurate on the point. The problem is, without the Wall, much of the rest of Dollars are wasted!
Posted by: henry | December 24, 2018 at 12:45 PM
Merry Christmas everyone!
Just paid $1.09 for gas. Kroger FTW!
Posted by: Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma | December 24, 2018 at 12:50 PM
Bless you, Matt.
Posted by: clarice | December 24, 2018 at 12:52 PM
henry,
Thanks for picking up the latest Trump tweet.
My daughter and I had to run to her ATN, then put gas in my car, then Kroger for extra chili fixings since we may have the granddaughters stopping by this evening plus we got hot dogs for my little grandson, also added a bottle of gin and win, then to my sister's to pay her for last night's dinner and pick up my daughter's car.
Unloaded the car and got the chili in the crock pot and put a load of laundry in. Now to wrap a few more presents and do dishes. We have to get out of here in an hour to get to the ballet.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | December 24, 2018 at 12:54 PM
Ig: you're correct about matt's point. and so am i.
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2018 at 12:55 PM
By my typos you can tell I am rushing. May check in before we leave. If not, it will be late this evening.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | December 24, 2018 at 12:55 PM
Donald J. Trump
Verified account @realDonaldTrump
33m33 minutes ago
Saudi Arabia has now agreed to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria, instead of the United States. See? Isn’t it nice when immensely wealthy countries help rebuild their neighbors rather than a Great Country, the U.S., that is 5000 miles away. Thanks to Saudi A!
Posted by: MissMarple2 | December 24, 2018 at 12:56 PM
Donald J. Trump
Verified account @realDonaldTrump
24m24 minutes ago
I am all alone (poor me) in the White House waiting for the Democrats to come back and make a deal on desperately needed Border Security. At some point the Democrats not wanting to make a deal will cost our Country more money than the Border Wall we are all talking about. Crazy!
Posted by: MissMarple2 | December 24, 2018 at 12:57 PM
re Dawgz.
Our close friend here in Berkeley had to put down her border collie gal dawg on Dec 21. Sissy was such a wonderful animal. She was big sis to her fellow dawgz, 2 other rescues who lived at home with our close friend.
we took Anya over the day after Sissy left. Anya spent the better part of an hour looking for Sissy around their spacious yard and their home. She picked up her bones, her chew toys, and other trappings, carrying them about during her search.
Anya finally gave up the ghost and laid down in Sissy's bed. it induced a big cry from Sissy's mommy and it was all i could do to maintain my composure. i can't imagine living without Anya. i remember what it was like to lose 7 dogs in 8 years as a kid.(car injuries).
heart goes out to all who've experienced this kind of loss. i think it was JiB who mentioned "A Dog's Life" as a great way to frame what happens when our amigos leave. the book and the movie are incredibly soothing.
Peace on Earth!
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2018 at 01:01 PM
Enjoy the ride, MM!
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2018 at 01:03 PM
Wouldn't Christmas be just a bit merrier if the Hyena-Lying Jackal Media reported the political, diplomatic, and military developments on the Syrian matter---
think of the positive impact on military families if our Republic, en masse, celebrated the skill of our CIC and the achievements of our Armed Forces (despite the sell outs by generals and former presidents and diplomats over the past 50 plus years?
think of the impact on the national character and how it would inspire young people to want to serve our country in the military.
nope. socialist propaganda. 24/7 365.
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2018 at 01:08 PM
Yes, James D, hope you are recovering nicely.
Jimmyk, I saved last week's special pull out puzzle section for New Year's Day
Posted by: peter | December 24, 2018 at 01:37 PM
Did we ever have a "closed" thread?
Posted by: Jane | December 24, 2018 at 01:37 PM
Janet at 8:55 for the win!
Posted by: peter | December 24, 2018 at 01:38 PM
Merry Christmas, everyone! I am at the office--all alone, just like Trump--but it is very pleasant listening to "quiet Christmas piano music" on my new blue tooth speaker which I got Free!! at a Jaguar marketing event. My daughter was invited to drive these gas guzzlers as well as the new electric I-Pace (very nice if you want to spend that much) and she graciously invited me to go along. We got goody bags with stuff including the little blue tooth speaker--nice!!
Posted by: johns | December 24, 2018 at 01:51 PM
And you too, peter, from your procedure. If it’s what I think it was, it’s not always so easy.
Posted by: jimmyk | December 24, 2018 at 01:54 PM
the nyt just happened to have the column inches free for The Rat's Bobblehead Benghazi Spin Mistress:
https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/12/24/susan-rice-trump-is-more-dangerous-to-america-than-any-foreign-adversary/
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2018 at 01:54 PM
Well, I got everything done (proving I can move fast when I need to) and I am all gussied-up and ready to go. Daughter is still getting ready due to her eye make-up. LOL!
I hope all of you have a pleasant Christmas Eve. I will check in with the ballet reviews when we get home.
Daughter won these tickets in a drawing at her work. We even get valet parking! I assume these will be good seat.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | December 24, 2018 at 02:05 PM
Susan Rice confuses America with global communistan.
Posted by: henry | December 24, 2018 at 02:27 PM
jimmyk@ 12:45
Yes, I am! And thanks to you and everyone here for all the good wishes!
Posted by: James D. | December 24, 2018 at 02:34 PM
The ghost of Christmas past has been seen, tweeting incoherent jibberish:
Egg McMuffin
My first apple pie of the season. I’m calling it Justice. Made in accordance with baking law and with patient diligence, enduring American ingredients, and plenty of heat.
https://twitter.com/evan_mcmullin/status/1077042696965869568?s=21
Posted by: henry | December 24, 2018 at 02:38 PM
Thank you jimmyk@ 1:54; I am recovering very nicely. The best part is I finished my month long antibiotic regimen, which was, I swear, changing my personality.
Enjoy Lake Placid. Somewhere in that town is a wine shop, Terry Robards', which is run by a retired NYTimes wine critic. How do I know? A college friend lives near there.
Posted by: peter | December 24, 2018 at 02:45 PM
Having a hard time reading or posting the last few days and my labors are not yet over, so I'll take just a moment to say...
Merry Christmas to all JOMers.
Thanks for hosting this site for us all, TM. You've built quite the community on these pages all these many years.
Posted by: bubarooni | December 24, 2018 at 02:53 PM
Yes, MC and HNY to all!
Posted by: JimNorCal | December 24, 2018 at 03:05 PM
I did the Saturday NYT crossword in about 45 minutes.
Posted by: jimmyk | December 24, 2018 at 03:11 PM
Merry Christmas to the ladies and gentlemen of JOM.
Posted by: Elliott | December 24, 2018 at 03:17 PM
Merry Christmas to you, Elliott. I hope we can get the pleasure of your company again some time this year.
Posted by: clarice | December 24, 2018 at 03:20 PM
Have been out to pick up baked goods for christmas eve and just wanted to update momto2 that the buche noel has a tiny woodland deer on it as part of its decorations.
Red pronounced it 'adorable' and is very happy.
Sounds like that bakery - they do things right and they taste great, too! I didn't get one this year as we are doing lots of baking. I just took my praline pumpkin pie out of the oven.
Posted by: Momto2 | December 24, 2018 at 03:24 PM
Merry Christmas to all
Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy . . . he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
Frank Church
Posted by: mike in houston | December 24, 2018 at 03:32 PM
My dad use to read Frank Church's column to us when we were small
Posted by: mike in houston | December 24, 2018 at 03:34 PM
There are factory jobs that cannot be automated like the formed hose production for your radiator hoses. What they can do is cut waste and increase the production rate, raise prices or ship the jobs to a lower labor cost country.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | December 24, 2018 at 03:43 PM
Iggy
I played drums for Celebrate Recovery at my parent's church before moving back to TN. I don't think it's a coincidence that it's on Saturday nights.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | December 24, 2018 at 03:45 PM
Merry Christmas to all, especially our patient host Mr. Maguire. What a special place.
Tugs on my heart with the latest dog news.
Posted by: Frau Edith Steingehirn | December 24, 2018 at 03:50 PM
--Yes, I am! And thanks to you and everyone here for all the good wishes!--
Just remember James, one of the side benefits of your procedure is no one can ever again accuse you of having a lot of gall.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | December 24, 2018 at 03:53 PM
James Comey Lies in Tweet About Lying….
They got paid on Wednesday and aren't scheduled to get their next paycheck until next Wednesday.
Posted by: Extraneus | December 24, 2018 at 03:57 PM
Friday nights round here, Pin, but I get your drift.
One of the nice things about Celebrate Recovery is it isn't just alcohol or drugs; it's also people recovering from all sorts of life's storms. Helping people with hurts, hangups and habits, I believe is their mission statement.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | December 24, 2018 at 03:57 PM
henry
I sent Evan a tweet referencing April Ryan. I think Baking Law means it's sodomite approved.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | December 24, 2018 at 03:59 PM
Mr. & Mrs. jimmyk, we are within hailing distance should you find yourselves in central NY with need of assistance.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year!
Posted by: sbwaters | December 24, 2018 at 03:59 PM
Why are FBI agents living paycheck to paycheck? Pay them a living wage!
Posted by: Pinandpuller | December 24, 2018 at 04:01 PM
Thanks, sbw. All's well here. We're driving back tomorrow, weather should be nice. How's Mrs sbw doing?
Posted by: jimmyk | December 24, 2018 at 04:02 PM
Is it wrong for me to dream of James Comey in one of those old Jimmy Cagney prison movies getting steam pressed in the prison laundry when Jimmy finds out the dirty copper who put him away is now stamping license plates too?
And the screws all turn their backs while the deed is done cuz they can't stand the dirty jailbird either.
I'd love to see him in the scene in White Heat where Jimmy Cagney gives his kidnapped stool pigeon locked in the trunk a little air by ventilating the trunk lid with his 45 but I'm not sure you could fold Comey up enough to squeeze him in there.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | December 24, 2018 at 04:06 PM
Safe travels, jimmyk.
She shakes her head up and down, sips her tea, and says she’s doin’ fine. Still trying to nail the problem, but we are closer.
She says, in the grand scheme of things, life is good!
Best to you and your family!
Posted by: sbwaters | December 24, 2018 at 04:08 PM
Liz Cheney goes after Rand Paul and Trump on Syria
Posted by: Extraneus | December 24, 2018 at 04:11 PM
I simply connected an "outdoor" antenna (installed in the attic)
I did that too. Finally went up there last month when reception was poor, and the thing had stopped turning after a year. Half our stations are to the SE, half to the West, none of them within 30 miles.
We have a high-quality analog TV with a converter box that gets better reception above a digital one on the floor with a Roku. I might be a redneck.
We've been watching Midsomer Murders on Netflix, and that damn music is stuck in my head. Too many bodies drop, as in Morse, but most of the suspects/victims are obnoxious so you don't care.
Posted by: Ralph L | December 24, 2018 at 04:11 PM
Ralph L
I had a high quality 35" analog TV that was just too heavy to move.
When Buckeyette's movers were also instructed to dispose of anything she wasn't taking to Chicago, I took advantage of the situation to have them take it off my hands.
Posted by: Buckeye | December 24, 2018 at 04:20 PM
Catching up & skimming... echoing others' sympathy and well wishes to Matt.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | December 24, 2018 at 04:24 PM
To talk about men taking risks, I know what is meant. But I'm watching this video featuring a woman who used to work for Homeland Security dismissing profiling. I guess modern women are willing to take the collective risk that they won't be the victim. Like the gals hiking in Morocco.
Yes, the YouTube channel is Atheism Is Unstoppable talking about Islam, but what are you gonna do: https://youtu.be/UcGNtLvAshE
Posted by: Pinandpuller | December 24, 2018 at 04:36 PM
Fired up the P bass through the Marshall. I had been planning my Ibanez acoustic... been a while. The classic filter at 11 is sublime. Merry Christmas to all!
Posted by: henry | December 24, 2018 at 04:37 PM
I had a 36" cathode ray tube RCA tv. It was hell to move. I just googled and it said '190 pounds'!
Mine was heavy but I'm thinking google is wrong. I'd a guessed 120 though.
I had an aerial antenna sticking up off the top of the house and it attracted a lightening strike one day and blew up the RCA.
After a long fight with the insurance guys, got my money and bought a 48" DLP tv that probably weight 60 lbs. I was amazed how easy it was to move.
Replaced it a couple of years ago with a 55" 4k tv that might weigh 25 pounds.
Still have the DLP upstairs in an unused bedroom where my kids like to go 'retro' and play xbox and xbox 360.
The weight goes down, the price goes down and the picture gets better each upgrade.
I wish cars were the same way...
Posted by: bubarooni | December 24, 2018 at 04:39 PM
Iggy: no it's not wrong to cast Korney Comey in that movie. in mine, he's hung from his scrawny neck and shot while he swings, after the fact. :D
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2018 at 04:40 PM
Merry Christmas to all! Off to sing two services, the 5 o'clock and the 10:30. Would really rather not have to do both, but there you are!
Posted by: Catsmeat | December 24, 2018 at 04:46 PM
Merry Christmas JOMers. Expect redundancy tomorrow.
Posted by: Tom Bowler | December 24, 2018 at 04:53 PM
Why aren't all the Muslims and Hindus at UPS working tomorrow to bring me my Amazon?
Posted by: Pinandpuller | December 24, 2018 at 04:53 PM
separated from his parents.
https://www.breitbart.com/border/2018/12/24/gang-members-sex-offenders-arrested-near-border-in-texas-and-arizona/
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2018 at 04:54 PM
For podcast listeners, you might want to check out The Right Side of History. It's not really "red meat" (here's what lefties say and why they are wrong). It's more "uplifting" (events or people in US history that are interesting or inspiring but not framed politically).
Posted by: JimNorCal | December 24, 2018 at 04:55 PM
Catsmeat
When I was a little kid I fell asleep during a midnight Christmas service and audibly banged my head on the pew. It could explain a lot.
Posted by: Pinandpuller | December 24, 2018 at 04:55 PM
I occasionally see discussions here on military hardware. I had a discussion with a BIL this weekend who I think those so inclined might find interesting.
He works for Rolls Royce. He works on the 'lift program' for the F35B. That is the part of the program that does STOVL.
He works outta Ft. Worth mating the lift units, which are made in Indy, up with the airframes.
He says the Japs and South Koreans are there all the time. He said everytime they show up they lift beers in their honor as it means more work for them.
I am pretty sure their both gonna plant F35B's on their quasi carriers.
He also said the Lockheed guys are buttheads!
Posted by: bubarooni | December 24, 2018 at 04:57 PM
Good afternoon and Merry Christmas! We opened presents early. The daughter got me a robotic vacuum,which is great on the tile floor. The dog's reaction is hilarious. We can't stop laughing.
Posted by: Marlene | December 24, 2018 at 05:00 PM
Found out this AM when I leapt out of bed that a CO detector is also a smashed snow globe detector. Thanks 🐱. Feline emesis on the carpet fringe was nice, too.
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | December 24, 2018 at 05:09 PM
Would this encourage Dems, Snowflakes, and commies to reconsider their "no borders" insanity?
https://spectator.org/gao-state-budget-outlooks-are-grim/
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2018 at 05:24 PM
i'm putting off scouring/cleaning the refrigerator and packing for our morning departure.
:D
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2018 at 05:25 PM
https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2018/12/24/merry-christmas-from-the-moon/
"Fifty years ago today, on Christmas Eve, 1968, three astronauts—William Anders, James Lovell, and Frank Borman—orbited the moon on the Apollo 8 mission. They sent back a Christmas broadcast to earth that was heard by millions around the world. And their selected message paid tribute to the one who deserves all the glory and praise for what he has made—our Creator."
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2018 at 05:28 PM
Reasonable chagrin over Mattis' maneuverings as SECDEF.
Mattis Was Undermining Trump’s Agenda
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2018 at 05:32 PM
Kev, I think we are talking semantics. When you step into an AA meeting, sometimes, not all the time, you are stepping into recovery. It helps you to maintain that recovery through the 12 Steps and having a sponsor and going to meetings.
A lot of people go through formal treatment programs with AA as a part of their treatment and recovery. AA is the best long term program out there from what I have seen but as with all chronic illnesses, the danger of relapse is always there. So we help them get back on their feet and back into their recovery.
We are discussing the SA model as well on a public scale, but the issue in CA is that Prop 47 removed the stick; now there are no consequences for a lot of crimes.
Give the individual a choice; 6 months to a year in jail or in a program like SA. It's tough, but they do life skills training and help in the process of rebuilding self-respect, a big part of it.
Posted by: matt - deplore me if you must | December 24, 2018 at 05:34 PM
Growing up during the grand era of the American Space Program, and the advent of new technologies, there were certain media moments that affirmed many of our beliefs in Our Creator---- such moments came with the publication in National Geographic and Life magazines of camera shots of earth from space AND the intr-uterine camera shots of living human beings in their fetal stages.
Great stuff!
Peace on Earth.
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2018 at 05:35 PM
and now, to vanquish "the Kelvinator." :D
seize y'all later.
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2018 at 05:36 PM
I listened to it Janet. I was about 6...
They did a lot of launches back then on Saturday mornings.
It was about the only thing that could interrupt "saturday morning cbs cartooniverse" without making me mad as heck.
Posted by: bubarooni | December 24, 2018 at 05:37 PM
Kev, my remembrance of National Geographic was the big fold out maps you got and the pictures of native girl's boobies.
My bros were also afficiandos.
Sorry to be crass but I'm still a fan of both.
Posted by: bubarooni | December 24, 2018 at 05:41 PM
5318008
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | December 24, 2018 at 05:45 PM
My son was 2 months old and we watched from a friend's apartment on Armed Forces television in West Berlin. Boy, was I proud of my country!
Posted by: MissMarple2 | December 24, 2018 at 05:45 PM
DaveinMA is obviously a man of culture and refinement.
Posted by: bubarooni | December 24, 2018 at 05:51 PM
DaveinMA obviously is standing on his head.
Posted by: henry | December 24, 2018 at 06:00 PM
Apollo 8 was a huge event, capping off that remarkable year of 1968. Borman, Lovell, and Anders were heroes and household names, less than 2 years after the disaster of Apollo 1. The first time traveling to the moon, the first time seeing the far side. They're all still alive, two of them 90 years old.
Posted by: jimmyk | December 24, 2018 at 06:01 PM
The ballet was fabulous! It was performed in the Murat Temple Thearer:
The interior is done in the Arabesque-Moorish style from the 1920's, with lots of carving, stained glass, etc.
We had excellent seats n the first balcony very close to the stage, close enough we could see the dancers' faces and MUSCLES.
Quite a few Eurasian faces in the company, I assume drawn from the Eastern part of Russia.
Highly skilled dancers, but the standouts were the ones who did the Moorish dance. They were really artistic gymnasts. I cannot even describe the movements they did, but they were breathtaking.
Beautiful costumes with an emphasis on RUSSIA! Also, they seemed to have caught on to capitalism, as you could buy a commemorative nutcracker for 50 bucks plus they have a line of sterling silver jewelry with Swarovski crystals. And you could pay to get your picture taken with one of the stars. LOL!
We had a great time. Velat parking is the cat's meow!
Posted by: MissMarple2 | December 24, 2018 at 06:01 PM
NORAD Still Tracking Santa despite ‘Government Shutdown’
Posted by: Extraneus | December 24, 2018 at 06:01 PM
>>>Expect redundancy tomorrow.
Posted by: Tom Bowler | December 24, 2018 at 04:53 PM<<<
??? getting the ax as your christmas bonus? think i'll get mine just after the new year ...
a merry christmas to all. nice to see frau back in the comments.
Posted by: rich | December 24, 2018 at 06:06 PM
Photo at link.
Posted by: MissMarple2 | December 24, 2018 at 06:07 PM
--Kev, my remembrance of National Geographic was the big fold out maps you got and the pictures of native girl's boobies.--
There's a way to tie that into the news.
The Andaman Islands, where the guy recently was killed for preaching the gospel were featured in a Nat Geo article when I was a lad.
There was one young woman, in an old black and white photo from the turn of the 20th century who was spectacularly endowed in a way my young eyes had not previously witnessed and though they most certainly did not "benefit" from any artificial enhancement they also certainly were carried with the grace and poise of a seasoned athlete.
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | December 24, 2018 at 06:07 PM
Redundancy
Getting the ax?
Or just repeating his well wishes a second time?
Posted by: JimNorCal | December 24, 2018 at 06:10 PM
Twas the night before Christmas.........
https://vocaroo.com/i/s0U5NoHX2xAd
[Pardon the "snort" at around 2:20, added song effect:]
Posted by: Jim Eagle | December 24, 2018 at 06:12 PM
Donald J. Trump
Verified account @realDonaldTrump
42m42 minutes ago
I am in the Oval Office & just gave out a 115 mile long contract for another large section of the Wall in Texas. We are already building and renovating many miles of Wall, some complete. Democrats must end Shutdown and finish funding. Billions of Dollars, & lives, will be saved!
Posted by: MissMarple2 | December 24, 2018 at 06:14 PM
Do not click on my 6:12 link. No worrky. Need to find another way to post a MP3 sound recording. That is not working.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | December 24, 2018 at 06:17 PM
I still have a book from my father's library, Meeting With Japan by Fosco Mariani © 1959, which has a section of photos in the middle graced in part by two topless oyster diving girls. I don't think I fainted the first time I leafed through that book.
Posted by: Extraneus | December 24, 2018 at 06:17 PM
I never saw any of those types of photos until I was well into my teens. I had a Methodist schoolteacher mom who heavily supervised reading materials!
Posted by: MissMarple2 | December 24, 2018 at 06:23 PM
Spengler;
Michael Griffin for Secretary of Defense
Posted by: Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki | December 24, 2018 at 06:23 PM
Griffin is an acknowledged academic nerd. Seven degrees over a span of 20 years. I have been and seen that process. What does it accomplish in terms of executive management skills, and understanding of historical outcomes?
He may be a forward thinker but egg heads make me nervous since I am a survivor of McNamara’s Vietnam folly.
Posted by: Jim Eagle | December 24, 2018 at 06:41 PM
yoo hoo--SBW! https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2018/12/24/congress-demands-answers-aps-relationship-with-chinese-state-media/?fbclid=IwAR1axAcBOAxV4BW-Wa7yKm_-gbVJj3UlcWjdoxXgGoxQINBvmr8p_onZ8zY&utm_term=.17bca0dad0e6
Posted by: clarice | December 24, 2018 at 06:49 PM
From the article, keep Griffin where he is. There is a lot of room for technical improvement in the procurement process and weapons design. Progress was made since the early 90s when I was a grad student on a study of private sector vs Pentagon engineering practice / shifting to digital engineering cycles from paper. A quick look at DevOps at AWS shows the private sector hasn’t sit still. The F35 ( then Joint Strike Fighter) was a maim program 25 years ago... and is just coming live. Now that I wrote that, grab some under VP at AWS and put them in charge of tech and procurement. That would ramp things up noticeably. Then get a warrior to be SecDef.
Posted by: henry | December 24, 2018 at 06:58 PM
Spengler is right about microelectronics, but I don't know if he is about quantum computing. The former is definitely something we dominated in, and we lost that dominance over the course of my career in the industry. (It wasn't entirely my fault!) The latter is, and has been for a long time, a buzz-word in search of gov't funding. Maybe it'll be a groundbreaking thing, but I've known people working fruitlessly on it for decades.
As for microelectronics, the feds have a need for so-called "trusted microelectronics," and their rules require that they be built on-shore, by an American company, by Americans. Due to industry consolidation, the fact that IBM sold out to Dubai-owned GLOBALFOUNDRIES, and the fact that the gov't requirements are too small to warrant a major effort by the remaining leading-edge American companies like Intel or Micron, this is no longer viable without a paradigm shift.
Posted by: Extraneus | December 24, 2018 at 07:01 PM
On cue,WSJ pleading for the Chamber of Cronies:
Worries about China have prompted defensive measures, but the U.S. needs better coordination of technology projects across the government, according to experts.
https://twitter.com/wsjecon/status/1077353427565453320?s=21
Posted by: henry | December 24, 2018 at 07:04 PM
Last time govt decided to ramp R&D in MCC, end result is no chip fan by us owned firms. So let’s do that to quantum computing because Chinese.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microelectronics_and_Computer_Technology_Corporation
Posted by: henry | December 24, 2018 at 07:07 PM
Chip fab.
Posted by: henry | December 24, 2018 at 07:07 PM
If anyone here has any experiences with dealing with interventions we had nieces pleading for one involving their mom. Stories were hard to hear. Both girls refuse to live with their mom who has been trying to hide that act from rest of family.
As others have said, the person has to want to get better. Even then, the odds are not in the favor for those trying to get Clean or Sober (or whatever other vernacular is out there). The odds I was given in 1989 while in treatment: 1 of out 10 would stay clean/sober for 1 year, only 50/50 making it to the 2nd year, but odds go up every year after that (1 would use and die, 8 would use and maybe make it back to treatment/recovery meetings but maybe not). These odds played out completely, knew the one guy who would die and he did (unfortunately).
An intervention, much like a "nudge from the judge", can help plant the seeds of recovery to sprout later (hopefully). If the person is trying to hide it, then they may already know they have a problem (and "tough love" may break-thru to the person). "Hitting bottom" is basically a requirement and just what "hitting bottom" means is different for each person. Being shown how far I had gone away from GOD was good enough for me (READ: Spiritual Death). I checked myself into a treatment center about 1 week later (5'10" 128 lbs) and been clean/sober ever since (29 years now).
I wanted to get better and have in many ways, although working through another 4th Step now has shown me things to work on. I hadn't even considered them but are very important for my current and future growth. I have become someone that I never thought I could through the Recovery Process.
Posted by: PDinDetroit | December 24, 2018 at 07:23 PM
Heh. Never even heard of that, Henry. I thought you were referring to SEMATECH, another boondoggle, led by people I knew, and ultimately by an asshole I've known for a long time, who I'm proud to say I metaphorically stilletto'd at the ignominious end of his career.
Posted by: Extraneus | December 24, 2018 at 07:26 PM
Ext, seems there was one program per Congresscritter. None ever work.
Posted by: henry | December 24, 2018 at 07:30 PM
Posted by: Jim,SunnyvaleCA,USA | December 24, 2018 at 06:10 PM
me showing where my head is ...
Posted by: rich | December 24, 2018 at 07:44 PM
bubarooni: be as crass as you like. makes me no never mind. but that's what you dig about me, right? :D
i was fortunate growing up in the unincorporated "cherryland" district between Hayward and San Lorenzo, about 8 miles from Berkeley.
there was a park directly across the street where beats and hippie forerunners of "the Flower Children", and various militant political factions hung out.
bare-chested females of all stripes on weekends packed the place, especially on warm days and nights.
NatGeo couldn't hold a candle to that scene.
then there was my schoolmate Tanya who lived in the lot behind us.
she insisted on keeping me abreast of her development from 5th grade (65-66) until they moved away in 8th grade (68-69)...just when things were getting interesting.
the altar boy next door was her forbidden fruit; and, i guess i was a compliant easy mark. the prodigal son got a jump start in grade school.
"Ahhh but i was so much older then, i'm younger than that now."
a simpler, more direct time. :D (oh but wait! does this mean i'll get Kavanaughed when i run for Governor of Califas?)
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2018 at 07:48 PM
Glad you made it, PD. Glad you made it. :D
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2018 at 07:49 PM
Happiness is....
beginning the new year with a sterilized, science-project free refrigerator.
yes, El Hombre--- doing the jobs La Mamacita dona wanna do. (who am i kiddin? it's dawghaus insurance.)
:D
Posted by: Account Deleted | December 24, 2018 at 07:51 PM
Kev.
Your growing up years were FAR different than mine! LOL
Posted by: MissMarple2 | December 24, 2018 at 07:53 PM