Anybody want another post about why Harris blew it and Darth Cheeto is a vulgar, deceitful, narcissistic ignoramus? I didn’t think so. Lord knows the ubiquitous post mortems on the election and the four horsemenpeople of the cabinet have beaten it to death.
Having already said all I have to say on these subjects, I’ve got nothing today. So I’m going to try something different and make this an open thread for any subject that you want to discuss, provided it’s not about politics. Maybe nobody has anything else to comment about, which would be fine. It would be great if you keep your pet conspiracy theories, partisan lies and spin and other assorted craziness to yourself.
Maybe there are things that are worthy and interesting aside from politics that will give rise to vigorous and fascinating discussion. That will be fine too. But I’m bored of politics and found nothing of interest to write about today, so have at it. Hopefully, you will be more interesting today than I am.
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Ok, not politics.
I’ve noodled with the very rapidly growing Bluesky the last few days and so far, so great.
Terrific signal to noise ratio, in large part due to its very strong moderation features.
Following news sites and lawyers, but without clutter being jammed into my face, is an excellent replacement to the old RSS feeds.
From what I’m hearing, it’s largely a silo. If you don’t want to see differing views but want to surround yourself with only people who agree with you, Bluesky is the place.
It’s only a silo if you decide that is what you want.
I bought a great little acrylic painting of a Key West corner at auction for my Keys bungalow.
Does that qualify as non political?
Coconut dog whistle?
Vegas.
Can we talk about Vegas? What is the appeal? Asked to speak last week at a conference there, I looked for flights that allowed me to parachute in and helicopter out while breathing almost none of the air there. My room location allowed me to go to and from the conference room without passing any one-armed bandits or digital card tables – although, sadly, I could not avoid the beeping and whirring and dinging of “the floor.” Eschewing all but one chain meal there, I was anxious to leave as soon as I checked in.
Why do organizations still set things there? The subterranean allure of sinful Vegas-style shenanigans (those that used to “stay in Vegas”) have permeated the rest of the Lower 49 in unconcealed, unashamed ways. All that is left is an odious assault on one’s retinae, tympani and probosci. I can light a match to my flash roll here, without needing to lose sleep and two time zones. Florida always seemed a fine place for a meet.
Why Vegas? I don’t get it.
Elvis. Because Elvis.
I am pretty sure that Elvis has left the building.
I’ve never understood the allure either. I understand it’s close to Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. But if I’m going to those places, there are other places to stay. I get that it used to be one of the few places you could gamble and see great shows, but you can get that at dozens of casinos on Indian reservations across the country now.
I like Vegas. There are several interesting museums there, and there are lots of attractions off the strip like driving a race car and operating earth moving equipment. Once you get off the strip it’s a regular town with churches, grocery stores, etc.
The Atomic Museum and the Clark County museum are fun. There are excellent, reasonable restaurants off the strip.
I enjoy people watching, and I can nurse a drink for an hour or so while I watch the blue hair ladies lose it over winning $10 in nickels, but that’s me.
YMMV.
When in Vegas, reserve dinner at the Italian American Social Club, a throwback traditional Italian red checkerboard tablecloth restaurant with no casino in sight, and sometimes Sinatra wannabees singing caberet. Don’t miss the painting of the Rat Pack above the fireplace in the back room.
I have had numerous occasions to go to Vegas for work, and I’ve always sent someone else. I have no interest in going there. None. And it’s “timpani.”
I actually appreciate the correction. I was a little unsteady on that one.
As words go, that one is dear to my heart.
US News and World Report has just come out with a report ranking the 124 best places in the United States to retire. NYC came in third.
I am sure that the result surprises no one. Take that, Honolulu — you’re a pitiful number 26. Las Vegas is #65, badly trailing Buffalo but just edging out Rochester.
Of course, US News is probably the 124th best American magazine.
Given the expense of living in NY, I’m very surprised by this, although having so many hospitals, it scores high on health care which is a concern in retirement.
Hospitals/quality MDs and cultural opportunities likely lead the reasons.
I’d be interested to hear about other folks’ bucket lists. Mine has mostly been checked off with “build my own airplane” and “date Michelle Pfeiffer” remaining. The frau always laughs hysterically when the last one comes up so I have very little support there.
Possible airframes are a Van’s RV8, with the tail wheel of course, or a Carbon Cub. Yes, I know that is a schizophrenic list.
I endorse ‘living long enough that college-era crushes like Michelle Pfeiffer are no longer alluring, but remaining vital enough that if the opportunity arose (and for those of us frau-laden: never), we could take it’
If I told that to Dr. SJ, she would respond “go for it,” then laugh her butt off as she walked out of the room.
I have an LTD retirement job, (Living The Dream). I work at a golf course three days a week driving a cart around the course making sure golfers are obeying our few simple rules. That allows me to golf three days a week…or I should say it allows me to play at golf.
Playing a round at St. Andrews is on my bucket list, although it would probably be wasted on me with my 30 handicap. I’d also like to go back to San Diego and play a round at Torrey Pines, where as a kid, I’d caddy for my Dad. That was quite a walk for an eight year old kid dragging a heavy pull cart up and down those hills. My “pay” was going over to the cliffs above La Jolla and watching the Sail Planes take off and soar the updrafts coming up the cliffs from the oceans surface.
When I was younger and still had a swing, St. Andrews would have been a dream. Now, it would just frustrate me and I would lose a lot of balls.
Go to St Andrews. We went last year for our son’s birthday. I was unable to play because of neurological issues from a viral infection. If you play the New Course you get the experience and it is not as long or difficult as the Old Course. The courses were in amazing shape and I thoroughly enjoyed watching my kid play.
From Edinburgh there are numerous courses you can play, all of them good.
Another day, another Greenfield post failing to address the biggest issue in America: The grotesque sell-out of our once-great national treasure: College football.
The portal and NIL moneys are going to ruin college football and all the other college sports.
If a student athlete went into the portal before, they had to wait a year to get their eligibility back. That was before COVID. Now they move from school to school following the money. There are players who have been in a college uniform for seven years.
The University of Michigan has put together an NIL deal worth more than $10 million dollars to entice a high school student to change his commitment from LSU to Michigan.
Subcontracted to Chris Seaton.
I don’t remember anything about the America’s Cup either, come to think of it. And on an allied topic, the best sailors among my friends gave up their boats at about age 80, and I just turned 78. Gloom.
I checked off the “sail across the ocean” item 10 months after i retired, and I also have the goal of being able to sail my own boat till I am 80. Still going strong at 74.
I never followed college football. I went to Cornell, and we went to football games to watch the band play. After Ed Marinaro, it was all downhill.
And yet this season has been delightfully full of upsets and great games. I too am sad for the death of the past, but this year at least has been wonderful. I am a spoiled Buckeye fan, to be clear. Looking forward to the playoffs!
Other than a couple of good players, Cornell was not a hotbed. Neither is Lawn Guyland.
For those of you looking for ways to turn on the tube and avoid anything political, a few relatively recent streaming offerings that are top notch in my view are Slow Horses (multiple seasons on AppleTV), Pachinko (1st season now on AppleTV), Manhunt (also on AppleTV), and on Netflix, a couple of older shows, Sunderland Til I Die and Derry Girls. I’m omitting blockbuster classics like Breaking Bad, The Wire, and Ted Lasso, and the single most reliable way to brighten your evening: the never gets old Seinfeld. I’m always looking for hidden gems, if you have some to offer.
Dark (Netflix) is one of the best Timetravel shows I’ve ever seen. It’s a german language show so you can’t look at your phone, unless you like dubbed, or I guess if you sprechen sie deutsch
Recommendations for an older Canadian series “Da Vinci’s Inquest” and the American “The Shield”.
Some great “characters” in both.
Counterpart (J.K. Simmons) on Amazon Prime Video
What is everyone’s bucket list golf course? Mine is Augusta National, as I would do unspeakable things to be able to play just one round on that course. I think it would be fun just to putt on those insane greens.
See mine above, but yes, Augusta National would also be on my list. I’d crawl on my hands and knees across broken glass to be able to play a round there
Don’t care for golf. My bucket list is to afford and have the time to take fun classes at my local university
I’d love to take a course in pulp science fiction or Renaissance metal work.
If you enjoy cases with…innovative…forensics, Mike White’s articles on the Mark Lundy case in New Zealand make for good reading. On my bucket list is to complete the Lundy Three Hundy in the same amount of time than he did.
When are you going to switch the Healey to battery power? It’s just a matter of time until the old ICE is relegated to the dustbin of history 😉
Hail Joseph Lucas! Prince of Darkness…
Note the grille badge to the far right of the pic.
Not being an automotive connoisseur, I had to look that up. Evidently he got a bad rap, but I liked the jokes:
The Lucas corporate motto: “Get home before dark.”
If Lucas made guns, wars would not start.
Lucas holds the patent for the short circuit.
Lucas – Inventor of the intermittent wiper.
Lucas – Inventor of the self-dimming headlamp.
The three position Lucas switch – Dim, Flicker and Off
The Original Anti-Theft Device – Lucas Electrics.
Lucas is an acronym for Loose Unsoldered Connections and Splices
Why do Brits drink warm beer? Lucas made their refrigerators.
Lucas quality philosophy: A gentleman does not motor about after dark.
Lucas, the Prince of Darkness
Can we talk about the Jets and how terrible they are? I really dislike Aaron Rodgers, although he’s never done anything to me personally (that I know of).
Vinny Testaverde lived in my village, and his wife Mitzi came before me at the Planning Board seeking to put in a sports court in the backyard. She started by saying her husband was an elite professional athlete, at which point I interrupted her, saying, “I thought he played for the Jets?”
Ouch. And I’m stealing that if I ever meet his wife, or the wife any of any NY Jet.
Mont Saint Michel really is worth the hype, if you’re ever in Normandy or Brittany. I visited this spring.
Poll:
Tomato based pulled pork
or
baby poo mustard based?
Any barbecue is good barbecue. And I’m all out, which makes me very sad.
Starting pastrami in January. Should be ready for St. Patty’s.
Scott, the original Black’s BBQ in Lockhart ships. It isn’t the best anymore (see reply to LY), but it’ll do
Used to be that some kindly reader would send me the occasional care package from Black’s (or if from KC, Jack Stack).
LY, too bad you aren’t in Austin anymore. There is a BBQ trailer that comes to the breweries in Georgetown that I’ll put up against anyone (yes, even AAron).
Got a name? I know someone in the g-town area that runs a good smoker. Got me started before I fledged.
I’d have to try to believe it, it’s an article of faith with me that Black’s is the absolute best around.
To be honest Franklin’s bbq is (was, did they ever rebuild?) middling at best. The guy I mentioned above is head and shoulders above him and I would put mine up against him any day. How he got his name famous I’ll never figure out. When I was there we ordered (had to order a couple of weeks out) and one of the guys went and stood in line to get it and bring it back to the office. We were not impressed, we (mostly that same guy, name Chris K) turned out better in our smoker out back all the time. Rudy’s was about as good as Franklin.
Neither. A little vinegar-pepper sauce is all that is needed.