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.
I was about 55 years old the first time I went to Disneyworld. I'd been to Florida and Orlando several times before, but never any of the theme parks. I'd been to Disneyland with my boys while I was in my late 30s. The comparison between California and Florida is stark. Not that Disneyland is bad, if you're into theme parks and Disney in particular. Orlando just offers so much more.
I'm not writing about Disney, though. What I found really intriguing was, when I visited Disneyworld, I was surprised to see how well it has adapted through the years (Disneyland still has work to do to catch up). I realized, upon visiting Epcot, what Disney's original goal was. At a time when long distance travel was rare, and still a luxury, he sought to bring foreign lands and foreign experiences to the United States. As authentic an experience as possible, whether from abroad or from entertainment. Disney hired locals from the regions represented in Epcot, and they continue to do so. In fact, when I was in Britain I met a former pub owner who was one of the first Disney had brought over to run the "authentic" English pub in Epcot. My Italian dinner in Epcot was served by a native of Tuscany.
I'm not a UFC fan, and I'm not a Bud Light (or even Budweiser) fan. I don't follow extremely violent sports like UFC, though plenty of my friends do. I also don't drink that much anymore, but Bud was never on my "oh, I really like that" list of products. Nor were many of their now subsidiary brands. I have lots of friends who only drank Bud. I use the past tense for a reason, since they no longer do.
The recent attempts by Bud to rehab their image, such as aligning with the UFC, reek of desperation. A friend had asked me if I felt the CEO was aware of the choice to engage this marketing disaster that was Dylan Mulvaney. I simply said "I don't care what they say otherwise, but ultimately yes, in my experience, the CEO had to be aware." I was then asked if I agreed or disagreed with that decision, and I simply replied "Given how much marketing drives my industry, and what I know about how it is engaged, I would have disagreed and warned against it." That said, I didn't really care one way or another. Budweiser tastes awful. Mulvaney barely registers on my radar and what little I know is that he is a annoying twit engaging in idiotic behavior which, if I were a woman, would be insulting. But I'm not a woman, I don't care, and his attempts at humor and "activism" always fell flat with me. My position on this debacle was one of interested but rather disengaged onlooker.
I'd guess my Dad took me to Brooks Brothers since I was 13 years old. It was on NYC trips, to the old flagship store on Madison Ave. What an emporium that place was, with elevator operators and ancient but well-dressed salesmen.
Naturally, the visiting also included Abercrombie and Fitch right down the street, my favorite store in NY, to look at the fancy fishing and hunting stuff. Both of those wonderful places are now gone. I do happily own an old A&F 20 ga s/s.
Mrs. BD claimed that my one grey suit had been outdated anyway. So on a rainy Saturday she dragged me to a big Brooks Brothers store way down in White Plains, NY to do some shopping with/for me. First time in a long marriage that I ever let that happen. I played passive and grouchy while they suited me up - 2 suits, cashmere blue sports coat, shirts I didn't need, and a bunch of khakis. No more clothes shopping for the remainder of my life...
It's a shame that they no longer use Alden for shoes, so I got no dress shoes which I didn't need. I have narrow feet, and need "Narrow." Good dress shoes last 30-40 years anyway.
Excellent service, excellent tailor - all good. Now I guess I will be ready for a wedding or funeral - whichever comes first.
A reader brought up the topic. Technically, a wooden Nova Scotia fishing boat. Fiberglass now, mostly. Do I like the look? You bet.
A quote:
"The days of Novi boats having a reputation of being a 15-year boat – work them hard (and in weather you probably would not want to be out in in a “Maine-hull”), and when they get nail-sick just take the engine out and install it in a new hull and leave to old hull on a mud bank, ended with the introduction of fiberglass.
The commonest style Novi seen in New England for decades was probably the Cape Island Launch.
As said on an earlier Novi thread, some of these boats had the advantage over Maine-style hulls in being comfortable -- spanker sail up -- laying-to at night. Thus, their cruising range and ability to stay out in rough water exceeded that of the “Downeast”-type.
The nomenclature gets confusing, as Nova Scotia was always thought of as being even more culturally, as well as directionally, down-east than Maine..."
I am a Philadelphian, for the most part. I was born there, but I really only lived there for 6 years, only the most formative years of my youth. I spent 9 more years, a few hours north of Philly, in a region evenly split between Philadelphia people and New York City people. However, that split shifted as I lived there. More and more New Yorkers arrived, and today it's a pretty solid ex-NYC region. Given it is equidistant to both cities, during the pre-cable/internet days you had a choice of which games you wanted to watch on TV or listen to on the radio.
Of course, I opted for the Phillies. Not really a popular choice in my high school, but the team was amazing during the late 1970s. Even if they didn't win a World Series until I'd left for college, their teams were always in the mix. My father-in-law sent me this article, knowing my penchant for all things Philadelphia (I married into a Yankees/Mets/Giants family - talk about mixed marriages!).
The one memory my father loves to share about baseball is related only tangentially. He had taken the family to Germany so he could attend a conference. We spent the last 3 days in Hamburg at the Hotel Intercontinental. I was getting the International Herald Tribune each morning, early, before anyone else was showered and ready for the day. I had to see how the Phillies were doing. They were about to make the playoffs for the first time in 26 years, after all. For me, it was an experience I had to indulge as fully as I could. I couldn't watch, or listen to, the games. We were too busy, but I was thinking about it constantly.
Recreational powerboating (well, most sailboats have engines too) has been going through a rapid change. Boat designs have changed, but there are still beautiful traditional designs. I'm talking about power plants and controls.
First, power. Multiple outboards are taking over. Plenty of reasons besides easier service. Oh, another good thing about multiple engines is that you'll never be without an engine.Yes, just one 200 hp Yamaha is costly, and four could buy a house in some places. Jet Drives are a whole nother thing which I know nothing about other than that they are way cool.
Second, controls: Joysticks. For instance, if your 37' boat has 2, 3, or 4 200 hp outboards the computer controls can help you easily go in any damn direction with minimal sea skills. Maybe go 50+ knots too if in a hurry or for the thrill. Magic backing into a slip regardless of wind or current. Just jiggle the thing. It would be nice if cars would parallel park like that.
We're old-fashioned, or old school, salt-water people with a single diesel, a wheel, and a Maine lobster boat hull.
For weeks, Mrs. Bulldog resisted seeing Barbie with me because she feared I'd have a negative reaction to the pro-female message, as some in the conservative media have. I assured her that not only am I not a conservative, but I have a sense of humor. One rainy Saturday afternoon, I finally got her to shift enough and we took it in. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's funny and the story is absurd in the extreme. Yes, there's an outlandishly Woke overtone of "men rule the world" as a message. It's only a part of the story. The main story really is much more subtle. Yes, it's partially about empowering women, but it's also a story about how Wokeness and Intersectionalism are dangerous, while individualism and self-awareness are critical. If you (like me) do not mind spoilers, then feel free to read on. I found Barbie to be funny, engaging, and intelligent, requiring an open mind and a willingness to engage absurdity to gain insight into deeper thoughts. Sadly for the scriptwriters, I believe they underestimate consumers and their own intelligence exposes the massive flaws in the agenda the writers hoped to push. It actually promotes capitalism (success of Ken's Mojo-Dojo Casa Home), civility and avoiding thoughts and behaviors which promote gender supremacy. Ken's hoodie, at the end, more or less sums up my view. Be yourself.
Barbie was just a comedy that tried to (poorly) push a leftist agenda and wound up undoing itself with other, better, themes while making me laugh hysterically. Ken, inadvertantly at the end, promotes individuality.
The movie begins by paying homage to 2001: A Space Odyssey and an openly ironic narrative describes how Barbie, the doll, "saved girls" and helped improve their lot in the world and in life by empowering girls to achieve. This was, arguably, the most inspired part of the production, because it parodies itself and, throughout the movie, it incorporates recreated scenes from classic films.
Is there an overriding theme or message to Barbie? Yes there is, but it is poorly done. What the theme may be, ultimately, is up to you, and I'm sure we'll all have different views. I did not see what they wanted me to see (I rarely fall for Hollywood nonsense).
It is such a common problem. My 3-year old battery has died twice in the past month. I think it is from inadequate use, but my Triple-A guy told me car batteries are only good for 3-7 years anyway.
He advised taking it for a 100-mile drive, but that's not my plan today.
Interestingly, he was from Morocco so we talked about Marrakesh and the Atlas Mountains. We've been to Marrakesh and have hiked in those mountains. Terrible. I've been to those remote mountain villages, with the Berbers. Wild camels, blue-eyed French-speaking Berbers.
I guess it's self-evident that eyeglasses began as monocles, so that's an easy one.
However, at Costco you can literally get a pair (two) of prescription eyeglasses for the price of one anywhere else. That's assuming you are not too fashion-conscious.
In the Veneto, outside Venice, we stopped by a few 
Recreational powerboating (well, most sailboats have engines too) has been going through a rapid change. Boat d
For weeks, Mrs. Bulldog resisted seeing Barbie with me because she feared I'd have a negative reaction to the pro-female message, as some in the conservative media have. I assured her that not only am I not a conservative, but I have a sense of humor. One rainy Saturday afternoon, I finally got her to shift enough and we took it in. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's funny and the story is absurd in the extreme. Yes, there's an outlandishly Woke overtone of "men rule the world" as a message. It's only a part of the story. The main story really is much more subtle. Yes, it's partially about empowering women, but it's also a story about how Wokeness and Intersectionalism are dangerous, while individualism and self-awareness are critical. If you (like me) do not mind spoilers, then feel free to read on. I found Barbie to be funny, engaging, and intelligent, requiring an open mind and a willingness to engage absurdity to gain insight into deeper thoughts. Sadly for the scriptwriters, I believe they underestimate consumers and their own intelligence exposes the massive flaws in the agenda the writers hoped to push. It actually promotes capitalism (success of Ken's Mojo-Dojo Casa Home), civility and avoiding thoughts and behaviors which promote gender supremacy. Ken's hoodie, at the end, more or less sums up my view. Be yourself.