Translated from dog: “Look. It isn’t my fault you fell asleep on the couch for a few hours and I discovered the comforter while the duvet cover was still drying. Plus, look how cute I am. Don’t you want to rub my belly? Do you have any treats? Kisses!”
I seriously would be the worst dad ever. I would be simply incapable of disciplining my brood. Also, since this is late night:
It’s a little raw and the like, but it still makes me smile.
ellaesther
If I didn’t know how timid Lily used to be, and how deeply she adores your approval, I would say, from a cursory glance at that picture, that the dog is actually saying: “What? I was asleep!” That’s what my dogs would have said, back in the day. And they loved us, my brother!
Other than that:
AWESOME music.
General Winfield Stuck
Santana – Samba Pa Ti
arguingwithsignposts
Okay, the guy dancing in front of the stage is a little creepy.
jl
duvet cover? duvet? I had to look that one up. I feel like a boor.
After I read what they are, I remember them from visits to the Nordic lands, the commie totalitarian debauched Nordic lands. (but I have to admit I like the debauched part).
And I thought the whole point of a duvet was that you didn’t need ‘covers’. Well, I guess in America you have to make everything overly complicated.
How far has Cole fallen from the path of righteousness.
BTW, I suppose a certin T * N * H was looking on with requisite disgust?
jl
Music was interesting.
Will we get banned if we link to Pere Ubu tunes?
General Winfield Stuck
This is what we got for voting in a dem super majority in the Senate. Guess who’s coming to dinner, or to merge the Senate Health Care reform bills into one for a floor debate and vote.
That’s right, a republican, two wingnut dems (Reid and Baucus), and Chris Dodd. Though it doesn’t matter tremendously what’s in a bill produced by the Senate to go to the conference committee, the principle of it stinks. Harry Reid has to go as majority leader. He just does.
And I’m off to Planet Libtard with dreams of Kate Beckinsdale in her vampire threads.
arguingwithsignposts
@General Winfield Stuck:
The senate is such a strange place – so much gentile behavior for a bunch of assholes who have no business anywhere near the levers of power. I don’t know how Ted Kennedy put up with them for so many years. Seriously, Snow, Collins, the conservadems, I’d just be screaming the whole time.
asiangrrlMN
@arguingwithsignposts: Right there with you. I’d take a page out of Joe Wilson’s playbook and just shout, “You lie!” to everyone, all the time. The whole damn thing is beyond frustrating.
Where the hell is everyone tonight?
arguingwithsignposts
@asiangrrlMN:
I think there are too many threads going at the same time.
BDeevDad
Has anyone heard of Oath Keepers? Saw this via a nutter, and thought it was wrong to be on a uniform and the oath seems straight out of a conspiracy theory handbook.
LM
I used to think the same thing, that I should never have children because I couldn’t discipline my cats. (One of them had lightning paws and could/would steal food right out of people’s mouths while they ate.) So I waited a very long time to have my son. And it turned out I was right to think I’d be the same with kids as I was with cats. So, yeah. Luckily my son turned out much better than my cats.
Ash Can
Nah. Rule number one of parenting is to love your kids. So are rules two and three. The disciplining, the lectures, the oh-my-god-listen-to-me-I’m-turning-into-my-parents all follow from that in due course. You’d be fine.
Yutsano
@asiangrrlMN: Just waiting on you dear. :)
BDeevDad
@Ash Can: Amen. And I’ll add if you don’t think you’re doing something wrong that will mess up your kids, you’re probably doing a shitload to mess up your kids.
asiangrrlMN
@Yutsano: Hi, fake-hubby #2! How are ya?
Cole! You are such a big softy at heart. It’s so cute! You would make a great dad. I would make a shitty mom. I make a fabulous aunt. It’s all good.
@arguingwithsignposts: How you doing?
Yutsano
@asiangrrlMN: Two words: GO BRONCS!! (although that win was hella ugly) That has me in a decent mood.
asiangrrlMN
@Yutsano: I thought you were a Seattle fan? I’m confused.
Lily is so sweet. It’s great to see how far she’s come since you got her, Cole.
Damn. I’m crashing. See y’all on the flip side.
Matt Mangels
I’ve been reading BJ for a few months now and decided to come out of lurking on this thread. So, (taps fingers) there you go. I got nothing else
Tattoosydney
@Matt Mangels:
That never stops the rest of us. Welcome.
Anne Laurie
Well, John, you have saved your loyal minions from a dreadful fate… I was scouring Jezebel for something cute & fuzzy to put up on the front page, just so’s the morning readers wouldn’t slash their wrists, or go back to bed & lose their jobs.
P.S. to the six people who karez: I am still collecting stuff for the Lexicon, including possibly “I am the cow on the tracks”, in the hope that someday the WordPress demons will allow me to edit it again.
Matt Mangels
Wait, I do have something to say. Someone should tell John (or whoever does the coding around here) about Fitt’s Law. Just a little pet peeve of mine, that the big ol’ banner that says “Balloon Juice” isn’t a link to the homepage, just the tagline.
Yutsano
@asiangrrlMN: Clarification: Boise State Broncos (although the colors are similar). Still undefeated and going strong. But it was an ugly win at that. Sorry for the cornfuzzlination sweet stuff.
Steeplejack
I like the music, Cole.
I have been truffle-hunting through the byways of YouTube to pick up music for my younger brother’s big 50th birthday bash this weekend. Heavy retro ’80s was requested. The recent epic Balloon Juice throwdowns have been invaluable source documents.
Had to laugh when I netted–and remembered how good it is, in a goofy way–Spandau Ballet’s “Gold.” (Found a better audio version, but had to link to the video for the Juicers. “You are–gold!”) Just got done listening to “Rock Steady,” by the Whispers, as a palate-cleansing sorbet.
Onward.
arguingwithsignposts
@asiangrrlMN:
doing okay this week, although very tired from travel and also the insomnia has kicked in. got a coupla projects at work that are deadline sensitive, so that makes things more stressful.
wishing for simpler times, is all.
Tattoosydney
@Matt Mangels:
Apparently, that’s a feature, not a flaw.
Steeplejack
Just voted early for the day and pushed Bitsy up to 1,777.
freelancer (itouch)
I’m here, kinda.
In terms of mundane everyday shit I’m annoyed that I have to drive 10+ miles tomorrow bc ups can’t deliver outside of normal business hours.
For heavier fare, my grandfather is in the hospital again. He broke his other hip and he had a dangerous day. They gave him his last rites and while my mom remains hopeful, i don’t think he’s gonna be around much longer. I sat in his room Monday night, watching mnf on mute, holding his hand, and seeing his frustration. I think he feels like he’s done. Everyday is an exhausting agony for him, and in his head, how much worse could the end be? He’s mad, and he should be. This way of going out is horrible. We’ve got family coming in from all over the country, so this does feel like, well, it.
I feel weird that I’m not pre-emptively grief stricken like other members of my family, I just want Jack to finally have his own measure of peace, on his terms.
Thanks for listening.
Steeplejack
@freelancer (itouch):
I will say a prayer for your grandfather. May he find comfort like cool water.
Yutsano
@freelancer (itouch): I lost two grandparents this year man. I’m gonna tell you right now, it SUCKS. Just say what you need to say to him. You’re there, that means more than anything else right now. Even if he is ready to go on, it will be much better if he doesn’t feel like he’s alone. Also, if you really do think it’s his last days, try and get him into hospice. It was actually rather comforting for me that both of them died in their own homes cared for until that time.
freelancer (itouch)
As a palate cleanser, I offer you what IMHO, is the perfect union between performance and audience:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo810wdJ51w
jl
I look at Lily’s picture again, and I think I have seen that look from a dog before: “You want to lie down on my bed? yeah, sure, why not?”
Though, Cole has one thing right, there is a hint of “Hey, maybe you have some treats?” in that look too.
jl
@freelancer (itouch): Best wishes and good thoughts from here for your grandfather. Hope all goes as well as it can.
Calouste
@jl:
Cats more give you a look like: “You? Want to sit? In MY comfy chair??”
RedKitten
It keeps the duvet cleaner, so you don’t have to have it dry-cleaned as often. I had never seen the point of a duvet until we slept under the most amazing, cloud-like duvet at a hotel in Brussels. I was completely converted after that.
JGabriel
So I just went to the corner deli to pickup something to drink. And there was radio playing. “I don’t want to sleep/I just want to keep…”
NOOOoooooo!
Fucking earworms. That song is gonna be stuck in my head for the next fucking week. Argh.
.
Robertdsc-iphone
Best wishes & good thoughts for you & the family in this difficult time, freelancer.
As for sweet Lily, I love her ears. So expressive.
Of course, we need a Tunchinator appearance, too. Bring on the lord of all futons!
RedKitten
@JGabriel: It could be worse. I’ve had the old theme from “Hockey Night in Canada” stuck in my head for the better part of a day now.
I feel like such a stereotype.
Mary G
@freelancer (itouch): My grandma died in 1987. I wasn’t sad at all at the time because I talked to her on the phone that day and she told me she wanted to go and not to come to the funeral. But there has been plenty of sadness since, so it will come, believe me. I can’t tell how many times when Bush II was president I just wanted to call her in Texas and hear some sweet gentle trashing of the man from her.
Yutsano
@RedKitten: I think you’re only in trouble if the youngling starts singing it in the bassinet (crib?). If you want I can e-mail you the anthem for the Berlin Eisbärn (German hockey team) and see if that cleanses your musical palate. Fair warning though: it’s slightly addictive on its own.
BTW is it true the new theme sucks balls? I haven’t heard it yet.
MelodyMaker
I love your dog, JC. The video is a bag of dicks. Someone had to.
hypusine
@freelancer Caught this during a moment of sleeplessness and am sorry to hear it. Thanks for telling us. I hope the living wake will be in vain.
JGabriel
Thank you. Somehow, I’ve gotten a reprieve and have another Canadian, Joni Mitchell’s “California”, stuck there now. That’s ok, I like Joni.
.
Ruckus
@freelancer (itouch):
Sorry about your grandfather.
I had a whole thing I wanted to say but nothing is coming out right.
Just be there for him, and for you as well. That’s all we really ever need.
harlana pepper
Damn, that is some funky stuff
And a cute dog to boot
J.
Former U.S. President George W. Bush gave a speech at the 10th World Knowledge Forum in South Korea this week. Apparently Sarah Palin was unavailable.
SiubhanDuinne
Morning, all. I just voted for Bitsy and put her at 1808.
Freelancer, I’m holding your grandfather in my heart and mind. It’s so good you’re there with him and for him, and I feel certain it means a lot to him that you are there. If it is time for his transition, may it be gentle.
GReynoldsCT00
@Anne Laurie:
thank you for thinking of us early birds…I always have my coffee and read the previous nights discussions…
John we need more pets, your are slacking
WereBear
I’m sorry about your grandfather, freelancer. However it goes, it’s great you are there.
RedKitten
@Yutsano:
It’s not bad, but it just doesn’t have the grab-you-by-the-balls catchiness of the original “da-da-da-da-DAAAAAA! da-da-da-da-DANAAAAAA!”
MikeJ
Original (for those who haven’t heard it, and I’ll note that some scamp has a link to an mp3 to download in the description for the vid)
Canadian Gold (the new one)
linda
lily is one lucky puppy… i wonder if she ever flashes back to just a couple of months ago. nah, why relive bad memories when you’re now queen of your domain.
posts about her always are a treat to read, esp with so much crazy out there floating around. and tunch too, also.
The Saff
@RedKitten: I loved the old theme to “Hockey Night in Canada!” I loved Ron McLean, Don Cherry, Don Cole, Harry Neale, and all the other broadcasters that did those telecasts. Don’t know if they do them any more because we don’t get CBC on Dish Network.
I learned the words to “O Canada” from watching HNIC when I was in high school. Good times.
And I love the Lily pic. When I log on at work in the morning, the first place I go is normally the NY Times but went to Balloon Juice instead today — my first thought was “What’s Lily doing on the NY Times home page?”
KP
So, apparently Rush Limbaugh is like Martin Luther King Jr, according to Andy McCarthy:
RedKitten
@MikeJ:
And most of that theme wasn’t actually played during the intro…this video contains the shorter bit that was the actual intro. (And the bit that I have stuck in my head.)
gnomedad
@RedKitten:
Oh, good, you’re still here. I just wanted to point out that Canada is awesome.
RedKitten
@gnomedad:
Those coins are seriously neat. My only worry is that they have the same colouring as the toonie, which might lead some kid to pilfer them from his dad’s dresser drawers to go buy a Kit Kat or something.
Oops — gotta go. I’m being summoned with wails of fury.
Ash Can
@KP: I’d wonder how much Limbaugh paid McCarthy to write that shit if I didn’t already know that McCarthy was batshit wacko and liable to write absolutely any crazy thing. Of course, that doesn’t rule out payola being involved anyway.
WyldPiratd
Dang, quite the pose there by Lily.
I think Lily earns centerfold of the year for that one.
burnspbesq
Speaking of payola … there is an interesting article in this morning’s Tax Notes Today (which, alas, is behind a subscription wall) about how the Administration has apparently decided to not push quite so vigorously for Congress to close a loophole in the Internal Revenue Code that has been exploited by the paper industry to get billions of dollars of tax benefits that Congress pretty clearly didn’t intend for paper companies to get.
Why, yes, you’re right, the paper industry is very big in Maine.
As one of my favorite commenters from the old days at FDL and iamTrex used to say, there’s fuckery afoot. Anybody see Dr. Dick around anywhere these days?
Svensker
@freelancer (itouch):
Sorry to hear about your granddad. That is very hard. If he’s in pain and the doctors don’t think he’s going to make it, they should be giving him good pain killers — that could be something you could do for him, to advocate for that.
Don’t be surprised at your emotions, just go with the flow.
Peace and blessings to you all.
Bootlegger
Cole’s West Virginia coal citizens are mimicking the Teabaggers. What fun.
CynDee
@LM: I raised a son, who was MUCH less trouble than my dogs. Of course, HE couldn’t pretend he didn’t understand what you were trying to say or do.
One thing that really helps with raising a child is when you also have pets, and the child grows up attuned to them and their needs, and learns your example about talking to animals and petting them. This also teaches the child a whole lot about the parent.
It is good to have animals before you have children, because you are less arrogant and difficult, because you have already learned that there are 1,432 ways that an animal’s natural responses can make an utter fool of you.
I truly don’t know where I’d be today if I hadn’t been exposed to my grandmother daily and lovingly doing a messy and difficult treatment of her little red and curly cocker spaniel’s (Timmy’s) ear trouble, and talking sweet talk to him.
Probably nobody will read this, as I am always coming to these threads after a new one opens.
John Cole
@CynDee: I read it and concur.
gsp
Just pretend your kid is a Republican….you should have no problem with disciplining the hell out of them.
asiangrrlMN
@freelancer (itouch): I’m sorry to hear about your grandfather. I will send him strong vibes and a white light to help him on his journey. Be gentle with yourself during this time, and just love him.
@Yutsano: Ah, got it. Thanks for the clarification. By the way, I mentioned you in the comments of my blog post, “Why I Blog”. Just a FYI.
Hugh
I took a look at Little Green Footballs to see how the infidel Charles Johnson is doing. He’s still reading, at first blush, like, well… like a reasonable person. And of course he continues to catch hell for it from the true believers.
He did however post for last night’s open thread a horrible short film called Born That Way, about a father who drinks and drives with his young daughter in the car. He becomes unnecessarily involved in an armed robbery that he and his daughter happen on. He grabs a gun and kills several people so he can take the money the robbers were after. But he is shot through the head in front of his daughter as a result. The daughter grows up (a knockout of course) to become a robber just like dear old drinking-and-driving-and-murdering dad. She hears his words in her head as she steals a bank truck, something about Robin Hood. The film ends. The whole thing is so cute.
wendy
I can relate 100%. My dog–a ridiculously cute Boston Terrier–gets pretty much whatever she wants whenever she wants it. I fear my capacity for discipline is moot. Many times I have thought, “What a hopeless parent I would be.”
Ruckus
@burnspbesq:
I see a DrDick over at Digby’s place pretty regular.