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.
Across the globe, millions of people are on the move, defying borders and violating laws to escape poor countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and break into rich countries. The United States is their No. 1 destination.
1. Eat more pizza 2. Eat pasta 3. Quit all exercise, get more sitting practice 4. Resume cigars 5. Quit books - turn on the TV 6. Ignore all paperwork - let it ripen 7. Ignore all household chaos 8. A few gallons of ice cream in the freezer 9. Gain 25 lbs. 10. Cheerios for breakfast 11. Paper plates only 12. Lie in bed 'til 8 AM 13. Join social media 14. All trips to beaches with umbrella drinks 15. Learn to appreciate Taylor Swift
It'll be difficult, but I am determined, this time, to finally realize my authentic self.
If you don't love it, it would drive you crazy - and it certainly does.
Several states have either tried, and failed, or succeeded so far, to remove Trump from their ballots.
The best example recently was in Maine. Where an unelected official pushed this through, then had the temerity to explain their reasoning.
That reasoning is best described as a version of "I had to destroy democracy to save democracy." It's a classic trope and one which is often crafted in literal and legal fashions to make them sound smarter, better, and more caring for all. As if we want them to do this.
The person who did this claims, in a manner I have yet to really completely wrap my head around, that doing this was a method of getting "better leaders" and avoiding "election sabotage." Now how making Trump's candidacy and the right of people to vote for him isn't election sabotage must require some elaborate rhetoric, and certainly she tried very hard to explain it. Naturally, it's all nonsense and she's basically, in the most respectful fashion I can dredge, an idiot with few redeeming qualities to hold the office currently held.
Tomorrow we are out of the official 6 week window from Nov 20 (the earliest the holiday season starts prior to Thanksgiving) to Jan 3 (the latest you can have a work day if Jan 1 falls on a Friday).
I don't remember when I started noticing it, because my days are usually pretty busy at work. At some point, I did notice other people started taking more time during that period, clients and partners started having more long lunches or dinners after work. There was always the obligatory office party, as well as invitations to client parties....
Basically Nov 20 to about Jan 3 is usually a big fiesta. I'm not complaining, it just isn't something I ever really thought about until this year because I have noticed more people taking time during this 6 week period.
Meetings were canceled, postponed, or otherwise put off unless absolutely necessary. Which was pretty common as the end of year approached. Some tasks have to be completed and goals met.
Which isn't to say nothing happens during the 6 week fiesta. There's always work, and I've seen it get pretty busy (this year a lot of firms were sprinting to their year end budgets - almost all coming up short). But it's definitely treated as a mild work period.
Many management comments will basically sound like "We really need to put in some effort these last few weeks to make the budget, but don't forget that the office party is on Tuesday Dec X and you'll need to get your self-evaluation in no later than the 29th of December. Have a great season."
I don't say this to be snarky - that's actually how it usually goes, and it can be a pretty good holiday season.
I always worked the week between Christmas and New Year - mainly because most people wouldn't, and it was an easier week. I remember taking those days to go to long lunches and see movies after lunch, then finish up at the office. Working from home takes a bit of that out of the equation, but I still did quite a bit of work last week.
Hope all of you, particularly if you share our points of view, thoughts, or opinions, have a great new year. Which isn't to imply those who don't should have a bad one. I don't wish ill on anyone at all. Some people just have bad years. I've had one or two along the way, and I've always looked for ways to flip that script. I am pretty good at that. There is always someone who injects themselves into your life and just know they have to in order to somehow make your life 'better' or feel like they somehow belong, and they aren't really welcome. They show up anyway and feel like they are doing a service. I work hard to be civil and cut those people out of my life as much as possible. You have to maintain positivity and those people are simply not positive. One of those people, recently, learned something about me which completely altered their view.
They had gone to HR not too long ago and had crafted a story, reporting me. After some angst, HR basically ignored it. That person treated me poorly for a while until taking the time to learn about me. The script has flipped. After a non-apology, I simply said "I don't spend too much time worrying about nonsense. It doesn't move me forward and I try to be optimistic. It pays dividends." Since that time, my work life has become immeasurably better, though busier.
We all have similar experiences and hopefully all of you will take Colin Powell's old comment (which is part of a list of 'rules' I try to employ) that "Optimism is a force multiplier."
Oddly, the list of 'rules' were given to me by one of the most negative, mean, people I ever worked for. I added that comment when another co-worker suggested it as a means of dealing with the list of rules, which are generally very good.
Whatever rules you live by - live well and benefit from them. Just remember, you're not here because you have to make other lives better. If you do, and if they accept it, great and good for you and them.
If all you do is keep showing up and you haven't read the room - maybe there's another room that's better for you and others. Find a way to be beneficial and live better in whatever way works.
A friend of mine recently described the upcoming year as 'tumultuous'. I won't disagree with that description. Despite that, we'll find a way to make it all a good one.
The words of the Teacher, [1] son of David, king in Jerusalem:
2
"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."
3
What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?
4
Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.
5
The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises.
6
The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.
7
All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.
8
All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.
9
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
10
Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.
11
There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow.
12
I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13
I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men!
14
I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
15
What is twisted cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.
16
I thought to myself, "Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge."
17
Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.
18
For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.
2:22 When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
2:23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"),
2:24 and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."
2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him.
2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah.
2:27 Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law,
2:28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
2:29 "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word;
2:30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,
2:31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
2:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
2:33 And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.
2:34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed
2:35 so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword will pierce your own soul too."
2:36 There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
2:37 then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day
2:38 At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
2:39 When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
2:40 The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
I forgot to mention Caviar Pie in my authoritative American caviar post. This decadent concoction is perfect for a brunch, hors d'oevres, or munchies.
Some caterers make Caviar Pie which looks perfect, round, and daintily-finished, but the ones I've had at fancy New Year's Day cocktail brunches look a little raggedy, as in this photo. They don't have to look good because as soon as they are attacked by people armed with cheese knives or crackers it's messy anyway.
You scoop a piece out and put it on toasts, or bagel chips, or whatever. It goes fast.
As usual, one uses the most expensive caviar one can afford - or not afford.
Chopped red onion is key. Here's one recipe, but you can google for more. It's a real meal too if you want, with a glass of champagne. The height of decadence.
My annual Christmas present for my Dad used to be a tin from Petrossian. Worth every penny for the delight it provides.
We've learned a lot about hospice care lately. When people are failing with little to no hope of not failing further, in the US you can get hospice care. It's through Medicare which, when you think about it, you are indirectly paying for and for which the person in question already has probably already done.
All it takes is a note from the doctor, and the "health proxy" agreement in which you agree that no further aggressive medical treatment makes sense for the person in question - or for yourself...
Yes, paying for hospice is cheaper for Medicare than paying for costly, hopeless treatments.
We had been mistaken in thinking that hospice was only for people with terminal cancer, and the like. Nope. Bad Alzheimers, sure, but also for any hopeless situation. The hospice teams seem to be excellent, and even includes religious support. Yes, they can give you some morphine for comfort too.
We all have to go sometime. It shouldn't have to be a tortured, hospitalized ending. I'm not ready yet although I did joke with Mrs. BD about it during my food-poisoning ordeal. She knows that I will want the morphine and to float away into the stars.
In 2022, a mere 327 people accounted for nearly a third of all shoplifting arrests in New York; apprehended and sprung from custody ad nauseam, like Batman villains, in total they were arrested and rearrested more than 6,000 times.
The Camel's hump is an ugly lump Which well you may see at the Zoo; But uglier yet is the hump we get From having too little to do.
Kiddies and grown-ups too-oo-oo, If we haven't enough to do-oo-oo, We get the hump— Cameelious hump— The hump that is black and blue!
We climb out of bed with a frouzly head, And a snarly-yarly voice. We shiver and scowl and we grunt and we growl At our bath and our boots and our toys;
And there ought to be a corner for me (And I know' there is one for you) When we get the hump— Cameelious hump— The hump that is black and blue!
The cure for this ill is not to sit still, Or frowst with a book by the fire; But to take a large hoe and a shovel also, And dig till you gently perspire;
And then you will find that the sun and the wind, And the Djinn of the Garden too, Have lifted the hump— The horrible hump— The hump that is black and blue!
I get it as well as you-oo-oo If I haven't enough to do-oo-oo! We all get hump— Cameelious hump— Kiddies and grown-ups too!
For most people, though, that math likely overestimates because due to rural and small towns, social class, religion, castes, etc., there was more inbreeding than the math reflects. Cousins of various sorts,, etc.
I do have the names, approximate addresses (towns), and burial sites of almost all of my ancestors back to around 1600 and some to the mid-1500s. After that, even church records have deteriorated. A DNA check is fun to go way back. I know mine.
That's my rule for myself, and Jocko and Echo Charles agree. Wish I could stick by my rules 100% - but I do with my workouts. Paperwork, maybe not so much.
Boxing Day is the traditional day to tip your helpers of the past year. Besides househeld help like Butler, Ladies' Maids, cook, sucllery maids, Housemaids, footmen, doormen, etc., best to include the early morning Dunkin Donuts crew, the garbagemen, postman, and other people who routinely make your life go better. At 5:30 AM on Christmas Eve, en route to my gym, I noticed the Dunkin tip jar filled with $10 bills. You bet, because everybody depends on them.
I like that quote from a reader from somewhere: Beethoven tells you about himself, Mozart tells you about human nature, and Bach tells you about the universe. That's a paraphrase.
Left to Rot, 
1. Eat more pizza
Hey - a new year. Time to join a gym and make a nutrition plan? (That's joking - such resolutions never work)
I forgot to mention Caviar Pie in my 
Our Last Ford F-150 Lightning EV Pickup Road Trip 