October 31, 2016
2 0 8 4:M i s s i v e 9
On the eve of the Fourth Uprising here where I am in 2084, I can't help but think about how it all started back in your time -- knowing that this loophole in the Vitalnet that allows me to communicate with you from the future will reach you in 2016, seeing as how that is when the seeds for the First Uprising were first sown. 'Tis true, back then, America was still one country -- unlike it's current division between East and West America, with the Bay of Mississippi separating them. And nearly 70 years ago, it was still a two party system entrenched in the historical patterns of the nation's past, instead of being split between the As and the Is (those who are connected to Androids and those who live a life plugged into iProducts). But the reality is that the IntransiGent movement with which my IQ, EQ and SQ files are currently involved was first founded as an aftermath of that 2016 national election. Had Americans not voted as they did, the experiences of my life would have been so very different. It is for this reason that I feel I must share that you must do everything you can to avoid putting this person in power -- [transmission failure from t1a7n72]
Random Memorial for Monday 10/31/16
Once upon a time, at the beginning of this month, I went on vacation. I had a great time -- visited with lots of people -- saw a lot of things -- ate a lot of things -- did a lot of things -- etc., etc.
One thing I didn't do consistently though was post everything that I normally post each day. Finally, and just tonight, I have caught up on my regular daily posts ... which can only mean that I get to kick off November back on track.
And kicking off November back on track means that I can pick up Alan's story where it left off -- with him finally rescued from the room in the basement of the bar where he had been locked up, resting in the hotel room of those who freed him and catching a disturbing newscast about the events of the night before.
Seeing as how starting tomorrow Alan will be on the next leg of his journey to escape that from which he escaped ... the Lorem Ipsum story will resume and will be *no longer* be missed.
CATCH UP NOW OR START FROM THE BEGINNING:
http://loremipsumarchives.blogspot.com/
THEN THERE'S THIS MONTHLY STORY:
http://capcognition.blogspot.com/search/label/2%200%208%204
OR THIS MONTHLY CONCEPT:
http://capcognition.blogspot.com/search/label/just%20one%20more%20...
October 30, 2016
Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 10/30/16
... the upcoming election.
With so few days left, it's (potentially past) time for me to provide my endorsements.
For a total of four weeks (the past two, this one and next week), I'm going to go lay out those for whom you should vote (whether people or amendments) here in my state (in my humble opinion, of course). Since I'm obviously saving the big national one for next week, it's time to address one that is only for this county.
And after careful consideration, I'm going to go on record saying that I support the county wide proposal to increase sales tax by a penny, half of which will go to the county and half of which will go to the local governments.
Mind you, I did not come to this decision lightly. The story of this proposal and how hard it was to get it on the ballot and how much bickering happened prior to it being official almost turned me off. The worry that the proposal is being presented without very firm and specific plans is a great one. The fact that money is hard to come by so soon out of the Great Recession is truth.
But here's what changed my mind -- first, the sales tax affects everyone who spends money and is fair in the way that proportional taxes are. You spend a little money -- you'll contribute a little more. You spend a lot of money -- you'll contribute a lot more. You can't get out of it by being too poor or too rich -- EVERYONE will be pitching in.
Additionally, I'm all for funding alternative ways of transportation. On a personal level, if my half-pennies mean that I'll have safer bike paths, then I'm in. If your half-pennies mean that you'll be able to get out and about without always having to be in your car (and stuck in increasing traffic), then you should be in. The future has to start somewhere ... and I'm suggesting that it start with this tax increase.
Note one other bit of trickiness ... this is actually TWO proposals (each for a half penny) and BOTH must pass in order for the tax increase to happen. As such, I'm really suggesting TWO yeses here.
So sayeth the Troy. Come back next Sunday for my final piece of guidance ...
A TAX TYPE PRIMER:
http://www.econmentor.com/personal-finance-economics/ssepf3/define-progressive-regressive-and-proportional-taxes/text/1713.html#Define progressive, regressive and proportional taxes
THE OFFICIAL WORD:
http://www.apennyatwork.com/
AN ALTERNATE VIEW:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/endorsements/fl-editorial-broward-sales-tax-boondoggle-20161007-story.html
October 29, 2016
Random Soapbox for Saturday 10/29/16
... [remember, once a month, whether I like it or not ... I have to rave instead of rant in order to stay balanced] ...
... but it is time to award the category of "best Halloween costume" -- and it goes to *this* little adorable thing.
Of course, it may be hard for you to duplicate it unless you are of a certain age and a certain hue of skin, but hopefully it will get your creative juices going in case you STILL haven't chosen a costume for this season.
And ... you're welcome (see even more ideas below). But no matter what, please be safe out there and enjoy your Halloween festivities!
THE SOURCE OF TONIGHT'S PHOTO:
http://www.funnyjunk.com/funny_pictures/4214123/Best+halloween+costume+ever/
"INSANE"LY CLEVER!:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/alivelez/19-hilariously-clever-halloween-costumes?utm_term=.nay4kYdL9#.arZ7woKGZ
LAST MINUTE COSTUME (FOR THAT LAST MINUTE INVITATION):
http://www.womansday.com/style/fashion/g490/20-clever-last-minute-costume-ideas/
Random Posting for Penn State 10/29/16
1.) I have to remind myself every year ... it's PURdue, not PERdue.
2.) So I do believe it's been seven years since we've scored over 50 points in a game.
3.) Of course, I'm old enough to remember when we would never run up the score, but that was a different era, no?
4.) Considering all the penalties we were collecting, I'm just glad that the win was the outcome.
5.) Turnover much?
6.) Far it be from a Penn State fan to comment negatively on noise from the fans, but what's with the jangling keys?
7.) Hey coach ... nice touch letting our back up quarterback from Indy play a bit in his home state.
8.) OK announcerpeople, how's about only saying "tree trunk legs" once a game, instead of once a quarter, eh? You sound a little creepy.
9.) I don't care what anyone else says. *My* player of the week is the one with those legs ... and with the 200+ yard running game today -- the one and only Saquon BARKLEY,
In closing, thanks to the guys in the crowd who were dressed for Halloween as corn and as poop respectively ... I assume that you either found each other in the crowd or that you always intended to be together, and as a man of a certain age, I know all too well how corn and poop just go together ... and dare I say it ... could it be FIVE in a row next week at night hosting Iowa?
THE JINGLING KEYS MADE THE LIST!:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1292304-the-most-annoying-college-football-stadium-traditions
INTRODUCING TOMMY STEVENS:
http://247sports.com/player/tommy-stevens-35502
NOW IN THE RUNNING FOR PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2016/10/penn_states_saquon_barkley_now.html
October 28, 2016
Random Flashback for Friday 10/28/16
#106 -- the photo says "Jimmy brother's boy", as does the next one ... I'm guessing that this one might be Jeff (the younger of the two) ...
#107 -- ... and that this one (which also says "Jimmy brother's boy") is his older brother Jimmy (named after his dad, my father's brother) -- UNLESS they are the same baby at two different times, which could also be possible
#108 -- this one says "Marian Shober sister girl" but I'm going to have to have someone from that part of the family chime in, because I'm wondering if maybe it's Marian Shaub (see next photo) or *Melissa* Shober (Evelyn's grandchild)
#109 -- in the summer of '79, Evelyn's youngest Marian Shaub graduated and my dad must have got the announcement
#110 -- this group photo was slipped into the graduation announcement, although the ages of all of these women seems more varied, so I'm not sure if it got linked to the graduation event in error and really is something else, especially since I don't recognize a single woman pictured
October 27, 2016
Random Thought for Thursday 10/27/16
Establishment: World Famous Parrot Lounge
Location: Ft. Lauderdale
Meal: (Gametime) Dinner
Drink: Bucket o Beer
(half Bud Light and half Yuengling Lager)
Appetizer(s): Mozzarella Sticks; Chicken Quesadilla
sticks: made here and breaded here; quesadilla: a blend of jack and cheddar cheese in a flour tortilla
Main: Philly Cheesesteak (on an Amoroso roll)
choice top round, sliced in house -- add 'shrooms and mayo
Side(s): homemade kettle chips
Dessert: soft pretzel AND a blue jello shot for each TD!
Server: Amber
In 2001, we moved from PA (where we grew up) to Chicago, where we lived for a dozen years. We quickly discovered that one of the ways to beat the homesickness was to spend Saturday afternoons in the fall glued to the Penn State games -- and it helped that the BigTenNetwork had launched. That tradition of becoming insta-fans of the team continued with the big move from Chicago to the FTL in early 2014. Which is all the preamble to say that finding a place by the beach that is known as THE place to see all the games and getting to watch a night game there was extra special. For it to have been the game where PState beat OState in an upset was extra *extra* special! See how the establishment scored below:
AMBIANCE: 9/10 (outdoor seating ... with multiple TVs in sight ... just a block or two from the beach ... and a bucket of brew ... plus almost everyone -- customers and staff included -- dressed in your team's shirts [it's a Penn State bar!] ... what's not to like? ... well, other than the one old man who came up and introduced himself and asked us to watch his bag that he abandoned under the window while he disappeared for a bit [not cool, Anthony man, not cool -- it's the terrorist era and you dare not do that] ... so just one point lost for having to deal with old beach drunks [note that no one was harmed in this story, as the abandoned bag was reclaimed and did NOT blow up])
FOOD: 8/10 (what with eating while watching the game, this turned into a progressive meal of sorts, with something ordered after each quarter along the way ... and although it's a bar, the "bar food" was elevated -- with special kudos to the cheese stix ["homemade" and not just out of the bag] and the soft pretzel [reminding me of the Hills snack bar of my youth], an honorable mention to the philly steak sandwich [with fresh 'shrooms] ... not as successful were the queadillas [crunchy yes but melty cheese not so much] and the kettle chips [normally a favorite for me but they seemed a bit stale like maybe they were made the day before] -- so a point off for each of those)
SERVICE: 9/10 (there is none so worthy as the server who pulls the shift during the big game that has to deal with every kind of drunk ... and ours smiled the whole time, from kickoff to surprise win ... and her helpers stopped by once or twice to check in [and to deliver more ice to the beer bucket] and her busboy [who looked like he was ON the team a year or two ago] worked in the background without getting in the way ... just a point lost because of the "free" jello shots that were followed up shortly after by someone looking for donations [not that there's anything wrong with raising funds, just that the concept wasn't explained up front])
BACON: 9/10 (it's on the menu in all the right places -- added to the chicken sandwiches, to the burgers and to the salads ... for a perfect score in this category, why not add it to the list of possible additions to the philly cheese steaks and really start something special)
BONUS: 10/10 (+3 for bringing the Penn State pride, +3 for being so close to the beach, +3 for that bucket o beers money saving concept and +1 for being a place to which we will return, quite possibly for another night game in just a few weeks!)
TroyScore: 45 out of 50 -- aka 90, a low A
October 26, 2016
Random Wordplay for Wednesday 10/26/16
Used in a sentence: "It's now official and the sign is up in the yard, so I'm now singing a new tune: 'Won't you be ... please won't you be ... won't you please be ... my landlord?'"
First -- lest you think otherwise, me and mine are NOT homeless. Nor are we ABOUT to be homeless. Luckily, we negotiated a two year renewal at the last signing, so we're *allegedly* assured to stay in place until Feb 2018.
Second -- that means that the house is on the market as an *investment* property. For someone who would rather cash our rent checks than our current landlord. For you, maybe? I can confirm that the tenants are THE best -- especially the two puppies who call this place home!
If you want to invest, let me know. And after I vet you ('cause, you know, I know some of you too well), I'll connect you with the realtor.
WHERE DID 'TO VET' COME FROM?:
http://www.waywordradio.org/discussion/topics/origins-of-the-verb-to-vet-1/
YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO BE MY LANDLORD:
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1300-NW-6th-Ave-Fort-Lauderdale-FL-33311/43101185_zpid/
TIME TO STUDY UP!:
https://www.floridabar.org/tfb/TFBConsum.nsf/0a92a6dc28e76ae58525700a005d0d53/e21a25a8c288bed98525740800537588?OpenDocument
October 25, 2016
Random Tune for Tuesday 10/25/16
[Note: I was also part of an organized bowling group in Chicago for a few years, but that was mostly organized around the bar on site, so ... you know ...]
Since the move from PA to Chicago in 2001, I discovered that watching Penn State games was a cure for homesickness, so I do do that on Saturdays in the fall.
Speaking of Chicago, for many of the years spent there, I lived a spit and a holler away from Wrigley (on the other side of the el tracks from Murhpy's) ... which means I became a Cubs fan. Or at least I became someone who was aware of how the Cubs were faring from season to season (if only for how games affected parking). And someone who could open up his window in the fall and hear the singing of the 7th inning stretches time and again.
All that means that, at the risk of being called a poser, I'm going to be cheering on a certain team that has found itself in the World Series for the first time in forever (to be clear, the Chicago team, seeing as how both groups aren't so familiar with the fall ball finale).
Tonight, I repeat the tune that I also featured back on 9/21/11. Except it's a new video version of it on the youtube that is seasonally appropriate. How has this NOT gone more viral back home in Chitown? Go Cubs Go indeed!
GO CUBS GO (THE HALLOWEEN HOUSE VERSION):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rls-KYnI6XM
October 24, 2016
Random Memorial for Monday 10/24/16
Yep, that vacation earlier this month put me behind a bit, and I'm slowly crawling my way back to being where I want to be. I'm not sure why I just didn't take the time off from micro-blogging, other than that I just don't roll that way.
The good news (for me at least) is that I'm almost there. Mind you, the blogger lets me back date posts, so there's no way of knowing that I am posting Monday's memorial on the Saturday after it should have been done ... but on the Facebook, I can't quite get away with such time travelling techniques.
Regardless, before THIS weekend is out, I WILL be back on track. And once that happens, this feeling of always feeling behind will NOT be missed.
IN CASE YOU'RE FEELING WAAAAY BEHIND:
http://tinybuddha.com/blog/youre-not-behind-youre-just-on-your-own-path/
I'M STILL RECOVERING FROM THE VACATION EARLIER THIS MONTH:
http://lifehacker.com/why-vacations-can-cause-more-stress-than-they-alleviate-1208854034
LISTEN TO ANNA WINTOUR:
http://www.evancarmichael.com/library/wk-kellogg/Lesson-4-Everything-Happens-in-its-Own-Time.html
October 23, 2016
Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 10/23/16
... the upcoming election.
With so few weeks left until the day of voting (not to mention how early voting has completely changed the election timeline dynamic), it's (potentially past) time for me to provide my endorsements.
For four weeks (last week, this week and for two more weeks), I'm going to go lay out those for whom you should vote (whether people or amendments) here in my state (in my humble opinion, of course). And it's time to cover the amendments:
My recommendation is simple to remember -- NO to 1 and YES to the others ...
NO to 1, which is a very trickily worded amendment about solar energy that might make you think you're FOR it when you are actually AGAINST it if you vote YES.
YES to 2, which is the second attempt at getting medical marijuana passed in this state (after almost passing two years ago).
YES to 3, which would give a property tax exemption to first responders who are permanently disabled in the line of duty.
YES to 5, which would give special tax consideration to senior citizens who apply for a homestead exemption.
(There is no 4 ... because 4 was voted on in the August primaries ...)
As I learned two years ago, Florida has a special rule whereby amendments must get 60% to pass ... so we'll see where the numbers fall when it's all said and done.
So sayeth the Troy. Come back next Sunday for more guidance ...
ALL ABOUT THE AMENDMENTS:
https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_2016_ballot_measures
BEWARE NUMBER 1:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/28/science/florida-solar-power-referendum.html?_r=0
IT'S WAY PAST TIME FOR NUMBER 2:
http://www.floridatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/10/24/vote-yes-amendment-2-medical-marijuana/92675810/
October 22, 2016
Random Posting for Penn State 10/22/16
1.) White out baby ... white out! (That's shirt color, not skin color ... just clarifying for today's sensitive world.)
2.) So ... something different ... this game was viewed out and about at the local "Penn State bar" here in Ft. Lauderdale (the World Famous Parrot) -- and I have to say that it was another great (and different) experience coming on the heels of last week's radio only (for me) event.
3.) Also special ... we were a community of strangers watching a game where we were the underdogs ...
4.) AND WE WON!
5.) Which probably upset the one guy in the red shirt brave enough to sit outside with us and watch the game (but not the whole game).
6.) Note to the Parrot staff: we'll be back for the night game on the 19th (but not the 5th, 'cause that's too close to the election).
7.) Anyway ... just wondering ... is losing the shoe on the play the same as losing a helmet? Do you have to sit the next play out as well?
8.) "MCSORLEY moxie". That about sums it up, doesn't it!
9.) I don't care what anyone else says. *My* player of the week is Tyler DAVIS, because even though the run of successful kicks has ended, it was a very good run.
In closing, thanks to the alum organization who makes free jello shots and passes them out each time we scored a touchdown, and then comes around immediately afterward to accept donations for its fund raiser (because there is no such thing as a free jello shot) ... and here's to a possible FOUR in a row next week at Purdue!
*THE* PLACE TO WATCH THE GAME HERE IN THE FTL:
http://www.parrotlounge.com/
THE ANSWER TO MY LOST SHOE QUESTION:
http://www.sbnation.com/2015/9/10/9295675/a-field-guide-to-what-athletes-should-do-when-they-lose-a-shoe
WELL LOOK WHO'S RANKED AGAIN (NOT SINCE 2011):
http://www.si.com/college-football/2016/10/23/ap-top-25-poll-college-football-rankings-ohio-state-penn-state-alabama
Random Soapbox for Saturday 10/22/16
... that little brat in the car commercial who insists on kicking the seat in front of her while her dad just smiles as he drives because he invested in lumbar support for his vehicle needs to be beat.
Ok, maybe "beat" is a strong word, but for reals, she needs to be disciplined. That is unacceptable behavior. And hey, I am ALL for expression ... but I am also ALL for raising our next generation to respect the personal space of others.
That being said, if that father was like that mother in the other ad who pretends not to know where her purse is just to make her child run up and down the stairs and all around the house because she wants her progeny to be skinny ... well then that seat kicking child gets a free pass to continue to do so -- as punishment for that lying deceitful parent (because it goes both ways).
OR YOU CAN JUST BUY THAT WHICH YOU SEE IN THE PHOTO:
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Baby-Auto-Seat-Back-Kick-Protectors/zgbs/baby-products/2237473011
SPEAKING OF SEAT KICKERS:
http://q13fox.com/2014/12/23/stop-kicking-my-seat-top-10-most-annoying-types-of-airline-passenger/
OOPS ... THE CUTE KID IN THIS AD IS FACING THE WRONG WAY!:
http://www.autonews.com/article/20160616/RETAIL03/160619904/buick-kicks-off-envision-campaign-with-new-commercial
October 21, 2016
Random Flashback for Friday 10/21/16
Someone that knew her better than I did will have to tell me whether she had a thing for sunflowers (being "out west" for most of my life, I didn't have a super-close relationship with her). I also know from my photo album from this particular year that one of my family members was actually out there with her at the time this shot was taken (more about that in two weeks).
No matter what didn't happen in person for me though, one thing I had consistently until the end (she passed a year and a half ago) was notes and cards and an annual Christmas/Bday gift and pictures like this one.
And now that they've stopped, it makes what I got back then have extra value.
October 20, 2016
Random Thought for Thursday 10/20/16
Establishment: Blue Willy's BBQ
Location: Oakland Park
Meal: Dinner
Drink: can of Coke
Appetizer: n/a
Main: 2 Two Plate Combos (shared)
pulled pork and chicken on one and brisket and sausage on the other)
Side(s): Greens and Slaw PLUS Pit Smoked Beans and Mac N Cheese AND pickles and onions AND Aunt May's Corn Bread
Dessert: n/a
Server: Keesha (sp?)
Who knew BBQ was a Ft. Lauderdale thing? This is the *third* such spot in this series ... but there would be many more if the "rules" weren't that we have to eat at places where we haven't eaten before to be included. Another note -- it's well documented that the only way to eat at a place like this is to take extra people so that you can sample (almost) every type of meat and (almost) every side, which explains the two full meals in the photos. One last note -- this place is known for being in a pastrami war with another bbq place previously reviewed, but it's only offered once a week, and it wasn't on the night we were there. To see how it fared in the overall bbq scheme of things, see below:
AMBIANCE: 10/10 (this particular location is relatively new, and it still shows ... and I've previously stated that I'm a fan of the limitless paper towels right on your picnic bench concept [see photo below] ... the music playing on the loudspeaker was an Eagles-ish kind of band that fit the environment [sadly there was no shazam to know exactly who it was] ... also it was actually a nice touch to be able to see one of the workers in the back room making the sides as we ate, confirming that they are indeed fresh)
FOOD: 8/10 (here's the way it often works for these bbq joints ... they have to work extra hard in order to win across the board with meats, sides AND sauces ... here, the sides were the stars, and the meats were worthy companions [with great portion sizes all around] -- with a special shout out to the chicken skin -- but the sauces were a bit 'meh', so a point lost ... and not to beat a bad sauce down, but there was a white one that just didn't quite make sense [a little watery and a little too vinegary] -- which is a second point lost)
SERVICE: 8/10 (as a counter service place, there's not a lot of interaction, but what there was was direct and to the point ... although there is a point docked because rib tips were the special of the day but they weren't allowed to be chosen as a meat on the combo plate, which made me sad ... and a second point lost because they ran out of the original specialty soda that my meal partner ordered)
BACON: 7/10 (bbq places and bacon don't always go together, although several previous bbq places on this countdown have found ways to score points in this category ... I kind of wished the greens HAD had some bacon in them, but I don't think they did ... all that said, there's a lot of the pig represented on the menu in other ways, so there are some points to be awarded in this oh so important category)
BONUS: 10/10 (+3 for the design of mistmatched chairs all along the picnic tables instead of benches, +3 for a really delicious corn bread that wasn't too sweet and didn't crumble when you ate it [corn bread pet peeves of mine], +3 for how quickly the food was served, and +1 for being a place to which we will return, because we can't stay away from those bbq establishments!)
TroyScore: 43 out of 50 -- aka 86, a solid B
October 19, 2016
Random Wordplay for Wednesday 10/19/16
Used in a sentence: "It's time to make a decision about whether the baseball bat behind the coat stand should be upgraded ... a dilemma best restated as 'to Lucille or not to Lucille ... that is the question'".
Anyone from the old days might remember that bat, which I'm pretty sure was purchased at Hills way back when, and which has been the only security I had at many places I lived -- of course, in modern times, it's been supplanted by pit bulls and actual alarm systems.
It's never been used, although if you zoom in closely there is blood on the handle -- but that blood is mine, from a night twenty years ago when I got a little buzzed, listened to a little sad music, had a little breakdown and used it to smash some random things in the house next to Big Berthas on Walnut Street. The broken glass from my evening's escapades cut my hands (hence the blood).
[As a reminder, I know better than to own a gun. I'd use it to help "train" folks in my 'hood when they upset me ...]
Bottom line ... with all things Negan now all the rage, I'm thinking it might just be time for an upgrade to my go-to weapon of choice.
THIS LUCILLE (WARNING: COMIC BOOK SPOILERS & ADULT LANGUAGE AHEAD):
http://uproxx.com/tv/lucille-negan-origins-the-walking-dead/
I HOPE THEY PLAY THIS WHEN NEGAN DIES:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GVr1l7Xbko
JUST SAYIN':
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/7/15/1223995/-Baseball-Bats-The-Self-Defense-Weapon-of-Choice-for-Men-Comfortable-with-Their-Penis-Size
October 18, 2016
Random Tune for Tuesday 10/18/16
I do believe this will be the last of the Eagles cassettes that I'm going to be discarding seeing as how I also have the CD in the collection and seeing as how I somehow successfully tricked myself into a slow and steady purge of a few of my somewhat-hoarded belongings.Which makes it kind of fitting that it's a greatest hits collection -- a volume II at that. Since many of the songs on it have already been featured at some point in this series, I'm going to turn to that tuneful bit of melancholy commentary on the fickleness of popularity ... also known as the song that provides you with this bit of pithiness:
"They will never forget you 'til somebody new comes along."
EVEN YOUR OLD FRIENDS TREAT YOU LIKE YOU'RE SOMETHING NEW:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0d53KUlTN8
October 17, 2016
Random Memorial for Monday 10/17/16
Gone but not forgotten: playing with my Matchbox cars on the roots of THIS VERY TREE.
There's a good chance you might have heard me mention this most favored childhood past time of mine. And that's why, when I was home earlier this month, I trespassed on the lot where the house I grew up in once stood, and why I paused to reflect on my youth as I snapped this photo. I also used the power of the google search on this very blog and found the following references:
MON 2/8/10: "I could use a little retro therapy and 'getting back to basics' mojo if anyone wants to point me in that direction. And then I can play with my matchbox cars on the roots of the old tree out back. Toys from my youth that fostered creativity ... you will be missed."
WED 11/2/11: "And, what a home run concept to put things in perspective by having teams make toy trucks out of cartons and bottle caps and wooden dowels for Madonna's future adoptees in Malawi -- it kind of reminds me of when I happily played with my Matchbox cars of my youth using the roots of the back yard tree as my only accessories."
MON 8/17/15: "so tonight I want to talk about some of the *good* things ... the big tree in the back yard where I used to play with my matchbox cars, using the roots and the space between them as my community ... the immediate neighbors -- Mr. Bradley in the green home (whom I rarely saw but I knew he lived there ... and so, in my young creative mind, Mr. Bradley quickly became my version of Boo Radley, for all of you Mockingbird fans) and the Meileys in the other home (with the patriarch with the dutchified accent whom I've frequently mentioned every Fourth of July for his pronouncements made whilst watching the Hills fireworks each year [ohhhh ... dat vas a purrrrdy von!])"
SAT 11/7/15: "Back when I was little, my matchbox vehicles were lucky to be in a tiny plastic carrying case, with trays that fit a dozen or so at a time ... and that was perfectly fine. Furthermore, those matchbox cars had to drive around the tree roots in my back yard because that was all that was available and that required imagination in play ... and *that* was also perfectly fine. And one other thing ... my matchbox cars were made of METAL and not plastic ... and they were covered in lead based paint ... and *THAT* was perfectly fine (maybe ... lead based paint can warp a mind I hear)."
Tree that clearly had such an impact on me because I clearly can't stop talking about it .. you have been missed.
THE ORIGINAL REFERENCE:
http://capcognition.blogspot.com/2010/02/random-memorial-for-monday-2810.html
WHEN THE HOUSE BURNED DOWN:
http://capcognition.blogspot.com/2015/08/random-memorial-for-monday-81715.html
WHEN I DECLARED THAT TODAY'S KIDDIES ARE TOO DAMN SPOILED:
http://capcognition.blogspot.com/2015/11/random-soapbox-for-saturday-11715.html
October 16, 2016
Random Scandal Sheet for Sunday 10/16/16
... the upcoming election.
With so few weeks left until the day of voting (not to mention how early voting has completely changed the election timeline dynamic), it's (potentially past) time for me to provide my endorsements.
For the next four weeks, I'm going to go lay out those for whom you should vote (whether people or amendments) here in my state (in my humble opinion, of course). And I'm going to start with the obvious: I am pleased to officially endorse Patrick Murphy for Florida Senator.
There are three reasons, and all of them come easily, and all of them are about why you shouldn't vote for his opponent:
1.) His opponent promised that he wouldn't run. Which was a lie.
2.) His opponent didn't want the job when he had it. Attendance records don't lie.
3.) His opponent has small hands. Or wait. Maybe he doesn't. Maybe he was just fascinated with the size of the *other* man's hands (not that there's anything wrong with that if that's where your interest lies). Regardless ... debates don't lie.
All kidding aside, you should vote for Murphy because, as his own website touts, "Patrick Murphy is a problem solver who is focused on bringing Democrats and Republicans together, not dividing people." In today's day and age, rare is the politician who *leads* with a "leadership = compromise" message. These are the times that try our souls, and Patrick Murphy is the local Florida answer to how we will rise above the divisiveness and how we will get to experience much needed progress.
So sayeth the Troy. Come back next Sunday for more guidance ...
I WILL NOT RUN FOR SENATE (PSYCH!):
http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2016/jun/22/marco-rubio/marco-rubio-flip-flops-running-senate/
A SENATOR WHO DOESN'T REALLY LIKE THE SENATE:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/22/politics/marco-rubio-running-again-does-not-like-senate/
THAT TIME RUBIO AND TRUMP GOT INTO A FIGHT:
http://www.politico.com/story/2015/09/rubio-trump-feud-214031
October 15, 2016
Random Posting for Penn State 10/15/16
So instead of my usual shtick, we'll give the post over to Joey Julius, who had this to say on the Facebook recently (provided in its entirety):
After a long consideration of not only myself, my family, and my team I have decided to go public about my absence from the team during spring ball of 2016 and thru out this summer. I was admitted into the McCallum place on may 9th for eating disorders. Due to my increase in not only weight but also depression and anxiety my team physicians started to notice not only a change in my overall happiness but also my performance as a normal human being. Throughout this whole process I learned a lot about myself. I learned that for the last 11 years of my life I have suffered through a disorder known as binge eating disorder. Although I showed signs of bilemia through stints of purging from extreme anxiety placed on myself I am certain that binge eating disorder is my true diagnosis thru extensive care this summer for about three months of treatment in St. LOUIS Missouri until July 26th. In order to come to this conclusion I have no one to thank except for Coach James Franklin and my training staff and doctors that stuck with me throughout this whole process. They all noticed that I was not myself and that I needed extensive care such as the program in St. Louis that I attended this summer. I love Penn State and everything about this program and school and continue to do what I can to bring not only respect but honor to the name that so many before me Sacrificed to create. WE ARE PENN STATE and forever will be PENN STATE! If anyone and I mean anyone guy or girl is struggling with the the same or anything similar please message me as I will be in immediate contact to help in any way i can to provide information or insight on my struggles and I would love to help. Praise be to God and thank him for my ability to be honest about this.
We are proud of you Joey ... of course for the work you do on the field each week ... but even moreso for the work you do on yourself, and for the courage you had to speak out in hopes that others will be helped.
Joey is ... Penn State!
MORE COVERAGE OF HIS STORY:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/penn-state-kicker-joey-julius-opens-binge-eating/story?id=42800891
Random Soapbox for Saturday 10/15/16
... there's nothing so vile as an internet troll.
Mind you, I don't mind a robust give-and-take conversation about issues, with reasoned arguments presented tactfully and respectfully. I get that there's an aspect of social media for which that works just fine.
What I don't like so much? Someone who readily admits that his goal is to take to the interwebs to wreak havoc and to sow the seeds of mayhem and to go out of his way to just represent *that* person on social media who takes an impish, sh!t-stirring, trouble-making approach to all things Facebook.
To put this in perspective, I may have recently posted something about how sexual assault victims may take years to come forward, and I may have connected the Trump scandal to the Cosby scandal to the Sandusky scandal ('cause that's how I roll), and a friend of mine may have shared my post, and a friend of *hers* may have added a comment ... which may have led me to investigate said commenter's profile, which may have led to me discovering this public facing status update (with names and photos removed, of course, 'cause I'm not looking to start a social media war).
In the end, I chose not to react. Well, kind of. After all, I am turning the experience into a post for today. Here's the bottom line ... I'm almost certain that they did a study and confirmed that the vast majority of internet trolls are men and that they have micro-penises, seeing as how if their appendages were any bigger, they'd be otherwise occupied and too busy to go looking to cause trouble just for the sake of causing trouble.
There you go ... my take on internet trolls. Beware them ... and beware them getting on my radar.
SO THERE WERE STUDIES DONE ON TROLLS:
http://www.medicaldaily.com/internet-trolls-are-truly-darker-side-internet-usually-sadists-and-narcissists-304352
SEEING AS HOW I BROUGHT UP THE TOPIC IN THE POST:
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-love/micropenis
EQUAL TIME, EQUAL RIGHTS (FAIRER AND BALANCEDER THAN FOX):
http://fusion.net/story/61144/micro-penis-micro-vagina-causes/
October 14, 2016
Random Flashback for Friday 10/14/16
#101 -- my half-sister Carol Ann ("Carol taken 1960" it says on the front, and "Carol Neidermyer, Feb 1960" on the back)
#102 -- Carol's son (my nephew born 3 years before me) Robert ("Carol's baby Robert Furnier" it says on the front, and, in what I think is Carol's own writing on the back:
"Robert Eugene Furnier II, June 7, 1969, 8lb 51/2oz, 20 long, 15 chest, 14 1/2 head")
"Robert Eugene Furnier II, June 7, 1969, 8lb 51/2oz, 20 long, 15 chest, 14 1/2 head")
#103 -- Carol's daughter (born the same year as me) Sue Ann ("1972" written on the front, and, in what I think is Carol's own writing on the back: "Sue Ann Furnier, August 19, 1972, 9lb 1oz, 20 1/2" long")
#104 -- my father Ralph smiling with a laughing woman on a love seat with "May 1966" written on it ... is that Carol Ann again? or a picture of Ralph with his first wife Betty shortly before he met my mother?
#105 -- my father Ralph with "me 1972" written on it (the year I was born), in what looks to be a lumber yard? maybe a job between the concrete plant and the chicken plant?
October 13, 2016
Random Thought for Thursday 10/13/16
Establishment: Beth's Burger Bar
Location: Orlando
Meal: Late Lunch/Early Dinner
Drink: fountain Coke
Appetizer: n/a
Main: Double Bacon Burger
burger with chocolate covered bacon and peanut butter and cheddar cheese
Side(s): TaterTots
Dessert: that which I wanted wasn't in stock at this location
Server: Name not captured
To date, this is the farthest location geographically in this series, but it's still in Florida ... so it counts for taste #40. It's going to serve a dual purpose over on the Facebook, where I have a different Burger Quest concept that's also underway based on a 2013 Zagat's list of the top 25 burgers in the country. It turns out that my original stop for a burger in Orlando -- the one on that guide -- closed down a year or so ago, and Beth's is standing in as a replacement, as it popped up on various best burger sites on the interwebs when I went looking for a stand-in. I was almost tempted to try the doubleD challenge (four patties, eight pieces of bacon, five cheeses and all the fixin's), but I was MORE tempted by the special burger of the day as seen on the sign below. Also below, the score for this particular Florida taste:
AMBIANCE: 9/10 (clean, bright, with a large cut out of Beth herself at the counter -- plus an oldies station playing classic hits and there were lots of things to look at, including downtown Orlandians in the seating section out front ... just a point lost over the stacked mugs at the tables, which looked like the way they serve the drinks but were actually merch on sale ... it might have been a coincidence that my server didn't give me a plastic cup until I requested one ... or it might have been some sneaky kind of upsell afoot)
FOOD: 7/10 (let's get one thing right ... this burger was awfully pretty, worthy of the close up shot included below, and the burger itself was hot and tasty ... that said, there's a point lost because the peanut butter "sauce" would have been better as full on peanut butter [don't be scared, Beth], a second point lost because the tater tots were being rationed [similar to another place on this countdown], and a final point is lost because the menu I picked up at the counter got me excited about a ice cream sandwich cookie ... and I was told "we don't carry that here at this location" [get a bigger freezer, Beth])
SERVICE: 8/10 (this was another counter service place, so the interaction was somewhat limited ... but everyone was friendly and fine ... except for the fact that it was apparently shift change when I was eating, and with just a few customers in the place, the employees stood around and talked loudly about their business, including a delivery girl who was disappointed that an order came in right when she was supposed to leave, and another two guys discussing what was talked about at a recent employee meeting ... so a point lost for each conversation I overheard that I never should have)
BACON: 10/10 (when bacon is the first bonus topping listed, you know that the place respects the bacon ... and when the special of the day is bacon drizzled in chocolate, you know that the place *honors* the bacon)
BONUS: 7/10 (+3 for Beth's entrepreneurial story and for taking on the five guys directly, +3 for all the merch, and +1 for being a place to which I will *have* to return the next time I'm in town, if only to take on the double D challenge mentioned above)
TroyScore: 41 out of 50 -- aka 82, a low B
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