We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
My closest encounter with a B-52 was during a hike in Montana. That airplane was doing a low-altitude run right over our heads. As I recall, we were near a cliff where the Indians ran bison off. Sheesh. Why a low-altitude run?
It's complicated. "Scampi" means a large prawn-thing in Italian, so the American menu item "Shrimp Scampi" sort of means "Shrimp Shrimp."
I've had scampi in Italy. They are not really a large shrimp, but more like a crayfish. They will put one on top of a seafood risotto as a garnish. You only eat the little tail but it is almost impossible to get it out so I tend to give up on that.
Shrimp Scampi is an American menu item, not Italian. It means Shrimp cooked the way Italians cook their crayfish-things - butter, oil, garlic, alone on a plate with parsley on top. In the US, it's typically served made with American shrimp on a pile of pasta as a main course. I know that I am annoying about these things, but that ain't Italian. Not too bad though. Italians do not make pasta as a main course. Italians tend to be skinny.
Yeah, their lunch is our dinner. Their evening meal is spartan, like some soup. True, they often nap after their midday meal and close up shop for a couple of hours.
The best real Italian meals I've had were in Volterra. We have not been to Bologna yet, though. The big tourist places tend to make stuff that Americans and Asians think is Italian - like red sauce. Wrong.
And, because of my mood today, I'll be more annoying: Pizza in Italy is awful. For good pizza, go to NYC or New Haven. Yeah, it's junk food but fun with beer. I have a favorite pizza + beer joint in NYC, near the High Line in Chelsea. It's called Artichoke.
Department of Incorrections - Rather than inform its readers about the potential pitfalls of the city’s proposed open-ended debit-card program for migrants, the New York Times prefers to attack my reporting.
I just caught up on his Sunday episode, having been occupied with a dying relative. Anyway, Scott has gotten woke. It's taken a while. Here's the youtube of his brief, brilliant Sunday episode.
A few quotes, more or less accurate:
Of course scientists lie.
Who believes you can take the temperature of the earth with a thermometer? Nobody.
Trump = dark, chaos, extreme.
Does anybody still think that the news is real?
Ukraine vs Russia is a fist fight between two gas stations.
When did the news become complete bs propaganda?
There are now 12 Trump/Russia hoaxes
The Democrat party is run by batshit crazy women
Getting cancelled opened his eyes, I think. Luckily for him, he can afford free speech. Can you?
Actually, it is just Tuesday Bob. I've never heard Taylor Swift but I am male and a bit over age 14. Few can recall, but it was the same with the early Beatles.
A giant Thank You for all of the good, caring, and careful work you do. Not just for the ailing person, but for the family. My lad, who knows about these things, half-jokes that hospice care is the best medical care in the US, and morphine is still medicine's greatest gift besides antibiotics. Morphius - the Greek god of dreams and sleep.
We lost my shanachie father-in-law this weekend after his long, cheerful, often joyful life, and the hospice people have been amazing. Never in a hurry either. A blessing.
Fortunately for our family, there is one new child waiting to be born to carry on, to carry on.
8:31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
8:32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
8:33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."
8:34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
8:35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
8:36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?
8:37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?
8:38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
Readers know that I love stinky cheese. Sure, blue cheeses can be stinky but I'm talking about non-blues. For example, Stilton is delicious especially with some Port, but not stinky in my view.
The stinkiest cheese I've ever had was in southern France 18 months ago. At the end of a remarkable meal the Cheese Master came by with his cheese cart. Mrs. BD pointed out to him that I like stinky. He gave me a few small chunks of this and that, then a gooey spoonful of one. He gave me a look like "I dare you."
It smelled like a mix of aged road kill and aged wet dirty socks, a real adventure for the palate. It might have been Epoisses (Napoleon was a huge fan of Epoisses, which was once considered "The King of Cheeses") but I'm not sure. Seemed like that cheese guy was impressed with me because I got a kick out of it.
Setting aside my day with my brother on Tuesday for four hours. I'll just start with it was great walking and exercise, lunch at a diner that was great, and just 4 hours of talking about his experience with people who have had what I now have and what we felt was good to cover. Personal. Religion. History and Podcasts. Sports in depth. But mostly about my situation and logical outcome which will be reached at some point. All really nice to have and will share some another time.
My visit to Memorial Sloan Kettering on 53rd St in NYC was expected to just be a part of one conversation and possibly 2 others with one at Duke and one in Florida. After four hours, we made a decision and I will explain a bit.
First, my current group will handle radiation and chemo here near the house. That was set - and 2 weeks before starting. Now the radiation will continue here, but the chemo we learned and signed for at MSK is slightly different and will involve a new test with several options and groups and some information completion. It's a new trial and the doctor said they could collect my data and health and potentially (slim possible rejection) sign me up. As of now - high probability to join and take part. Mostly needing to see results and my ability to share, speak and keep notes. So it's engaging. That does need a level of intelligence they tested (I scored really high with their process and engagement) and a willingness to engage. I was all for trying things, which they smiled about. My current doctor, who has several potential tests but several weeks off, will be sidelined while I join this. Both groups work separately but share information and conversation as necessary. This is a learning chance!
Second, doctor and nurse were blatantly open. What is the reality. My best shot for now - I have a non-Methylated Glio Blastoma which is one of several different kinds of the same issue. Mine is very specific with a lot of downside potential over time when it comes to opportunity. They were very open to "enjoy life and get the most out of what you want, even if it includes cutting out of testing or trials." They support travel, learning, having fun. "Enjoy your life and get the best you can." I said I will, but I want to learn more, too and potentially help others. They smiled and loved my engagement and willingness.
Third, health and intelligence top notch! Nurse kept testing several times. No issues. Now approved to drive if I want. She recommended sports and gym again. Just got to let the surgical swelling on the left brain continue to decline which is slowly happening but maybe 2 more weeks. It doesn't hurt much. Just swollen and feels odd.
Fourth, GREAT BURGER at PJ Clarke's in NYC. A CLASSIC. Always has been. I don't know why but man that was so darn tasty. Food is still REALLY delicious.
Fifth, had my new mask for radiation set today at the hospital. After six weeks I get to keep it - kind've new artistic item. See attached!. It's a pin which radiates different parts of the head over 20-30 min each day starting 3/1.
Today, just lots of sleepiness. Got 6 hours last night. Got 3 hours today. Will probably get another hour before bed. LOL. No idea why just really dragging suddenly.
Still having lots of texts and phone calls, though - so all 100% positive and looking for fun.
For anyone not interested. Let me start with "I'm sorry if you don't want to read this." I know everyone varies on how these stories develop and take place. It can be boring or time consuming and even annoying. So my apology if it is for you in some way. That said, I'm finding it all really interesting to talk. Also, oddly, suddenly boring from moment to moment. As we spoke to the doctor, everything was great and suddenly he and the nurse began telling my wife and one son some information regarding the test and after 10 minutes he looked at me and asked if I was ok. I said "Yes, but now that I know I get to engage this soon, the data is boring me. I'll leave that to them and they can handle all that. Me? I want to get started and I don't care." He laughed and said "lots of ways to approach this."
First - finally done with steroids, which has finally left me with my first full evening of sleep! Yay. After 19 days of less than a single 7 hour evening, I got 8 hours, deep sleep and the doctor confirming it was all steroid driven. The steroids were great and limiting physical back issues. Today? Still feeling good but sleepier last night, so all good.
Second, SKM visit today by 11 in NYC. Heading out shortly and 2 sons joining us to have a conversation. No information no knowledge just learning to start. 3 other potential docs to speak with or potentially meet, one in Florida with a very new learning I have and one at Duke College. So conversations will be interesting and needed. High likelihood may be no switches and having to make some choices of who/where/when in about 6 weeks. But right now I'm leaning that we may stick with the current group.
Third, visit from my brother yesterday, just a walk to town and lunch at a diner which was great. Good exercise, but he already knew several people with various versions of my particular result. Most have lost lives already, which is a known, but luckily knows several others who survived for years. Will share more later when I'm back.
More to come! (sorry for delay and shortness at 7am on 2/21 as I was rushing to leave and get to the doctor - some new info and updates to follow but sorry with the rush and slight misspelling then silence and no follow up)
Scott Adams compared mail-in voting to mail-in drug testing.
That's not a great comparison, but I get his point. Ballot-harvesting has been a big deal in recent years. Nursing homes, subsidized housing, street people, etc.
Boiled meat with onions is of course an ancient food. Now we know how to make it better, especially by adding more interesting flavorings along with the onions. Another thing we know about cooking tough meat (chuck, round, brisket) is that a low simmer is better than boiling.
I like to cook it in our slow-cooker, on low. Yes, it takes hours total but you get plenty of intermission time to get other things done.
My French chef friend learned how to make it in Paris. Yeah. Not all French food is complicated.
Much more difficult to be a legal immigrant. I sure hope these law-breakers are nice people, with means of support, who can enhance our lives. I do need a new electrician
REMEMBERING 
It's complicated. "Scampi" means a large prawn-thing in Italian, so the American menu item "Shrimp Scampi" sort of means "Shrimp Shrimp."
How a Special Diet Kept the Knights Templar Fighting Fit - 
Boiled meat with onions is of course an ancient food. Now we know how to make it better, especially by adding more interesting flavorings along with the onions. Another thing we know about cooking tough meat (chuck, round, brisket) is that a low simmer is better than boiling.