Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Peak wingnut was a lie.

The words do not have to be perfect.

You can’t attract Republican voters. You can only out organize them.

Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

A last alliance of elves and men. also pet photos.

Let there be snark.

The worst democrat is better than the best republican.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

Make the republican party small enough to drown in a bathtub.

If you are still in the GOP, you are an extremist.

I did not have telepathic declassification on my 2022 bingo card.

Today’s GOP: why go just far enough when too far is right there?

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

You cannot shame the shameless.

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

In my day, never was longer.

A Senator Walker would also be an insult to reason, rationality, and decency.

Despite his magical powers, I don’t think Trump is thinking this through, to be honest.

Good lord, these people are nuts.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

I did not have this on my fuck 2022 bingo card.

Conservatism: there are some people the law protects but does not bind and others who the law binds but does not protect.

“Jesus paying for the sins of everyone is an insult to those who paid for their own sins.”

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Reader Interactions

235Comments

  1. 1.

    JenJen

    Perfect opportunity to wish a Happy, Happy Birthday to Laura W!

    Laura shares a birthday with Stimmy the Stimulus Package!

    Also: Billy Joe Armstrong (cool) and Paris Hilton (meh).

  2. 2.

    Violet

    This is an awesome song. Reminds me of an old boyfriend who was really into The Who.

    I wonder what old group the Superbowl folks will hire for next year’s halftime show? Lawrence Welk isn’t still around, is he?

  5. 5.

    Mark S.

    @Violet:

    I wonder what old group the Superbowl folks will hire for next year’s halftime show?

    If they want to stick with the British invasion theme, they could go with Herman’s Hermits.

  8. 8.

    JenJen

    @Violet:

    I wonder what old group the Superbowl folks will hire for next year’s halftime show? Lawrence Welk isn’t still around, is he?

    I was thinking maybe Bobby Vinton?

  10. 10.

    r€nato

    @JGabriel: I totally agree, I thought so at the time as well.

    Um, am I going to offend anyone here if I say that I found their SB halftime performance disappointing and lame?

    …wow, great YT video. That’s how I want to remember them, not as those silly sods at the halftime show.

  12. 12.

    Violet

    @r€nato:

    Um, am I going to offend anyone here if I say that I found their SB halftime performance disappointing and lame?

    Heavens no. The Superbowl thread here was ripping them apart as they were performing. Worst Superbowl geriatric band performance of them all.

  14. 14.

    WaterGirl

    You guys all seem to know so much about animals… what do you know about pet insurance?

    I just got two kitties and plan to get a puppy in the spring, and I am trying to figure out whether to get pet insurance.

  15. 15.

    r€nato

    @Violet: yeah, and excuse me, but did anybody NOT see that one coming? I mean, they had U2 do the show, and then Prince. Now this??? Damn, the wardrobe malfunction really was that traumatic?

  16. 16.

    robertdsc

    I submitted my unemployment insurance form today via online setup. So the wait begins. I happened to drive down to work yesterday to pick up my pay stub and found that the shop was closed and dark at 5 PM on a Tuesday afternoon. Very unsettling.

  17. 17.

    mr. whipple

    That’s how I want to remember them, not as those silly sods at the halftime show.

    I don’t want to remember them at all with Kenny Jones on drums. Sure, it was still decent, but that dood blew chunks even though replacing Moon was probably impossible.

  19. 19.

    Violet

    @r€nato:
    Seemed like a disaster ready to happen from the time they announced The Who would be the entertainment. I think it’s time to change up the halftime show and go back to a bunch of performers, a la Janet Jackson’s year, or even more throwback and have marching bands or something. This rockers-who-need-walkers trend is getting a little stale.

    @WaterGirl:
    A friend who has an two dogs wishes they’d got the pet insurance a long time ago. The older dog now has health problems and some of the options for treatment are well into the multiple thousands of dollars. And he doesn’t qualify for insurance except at ridiculous prices now. I think if you get them on it when they’re puppies it’s cheaper and stays cheaper, but not sure if they raise premiums all the time like when people have individual insurance and then get sick.

  20. 20.

    kid bitzer

    why was the superbowl a degrading travesty? not because the who used to be crap, no.

    it was a degrading travesty exactly because the who used to be an absolutely top-notch band.

    thanks for the memory of when

  25. 25.

    JGabriel

    Violet:

    Too soon for something like New Order?

    Heh. That reminds me of when New Order recorded World In Motion for the 2002 World Cup.

    Bernard Sumners was later quoted saying something like, “Yeah, I think we lost the last of the Joy Division fans with that one. Any that were left and were still holding out hope …”

    .

  26. 26.

    metalgirl

    I got my cafepress goodies today! Love my new Tunch t-shirt (will have to wear it as an under shirt until it warms up)! My Lily coffee mug is going to work with me tomorrow :)

    Great job to all that made the store possible!

  27. 27.

    JGabriel

    SIA:

    I always heard, “The more you complain, the longer God lets you live”.

    Woo hoo! I’m gonna be a fuckin’ centenarian!

    .

  28. 28.

    Napoleon

    @WaterGirl:

    I know that my home town’s biggest employer, Progressive Insurance, offers it and it will help my home town economy if you buy it. ;)

  29. 29.

    lahke

    Help! I let Adobe Flash update itself, and now I can’t see half the images or the videos. Is that a coincidence or causality?

  30. 30.

    Juror #7

    Haven’t heard that song in a looong time.

    Weirdness: I have somehow managed to get on a wingnut mailing list and am now receiving fundraising solicitations from a) Citizens United and b) the NRCC. (These come along with Planned Parenthood, Southern Poverty Law Center, Franken for Senate, DNC, etc., etc.) I am appalled…and very curious about WTF I bought/clicked/answered that triggered this.

  32. 32.

    cat48

    @jeffreyw:

    Food looks good. Though I got distracted by the adorable kitteh picture on the side. The one adopted today. I love kittens. Too cute!

  34. 34.

    R-Jud

    @WaterGirl:

    I just got two kitties and plan to get a puppy in the spring, and I am trying to figure out whether to get pet insurance.

    We got it last fall, and just had reason to claim on Friday (kitty conjunctivitis– his eye’s wonkier than Paris Hilton’s). We’re glad we did, even though the bill would’ve only been about $40.

    Music: I’ve been listening to Glenn Gould playing Bach. Just realized what I thought was my husband muttering in his sleep in the next room is actually Gould humming along while he plays. Thought I was going nuts.

  35. 35.

    mellowjohn

    i think new order is just a little too cutting edge for the no fun league.
    btw, i saw the who at the old granada theater near loyola u. in chicago. also saw the stones at the international amphtheater and the beatles at the original comiskey park.
    god, am i old.

  37. 37.

    General Winfield Stuck

    Not a bad day on the High Desert. Beautiful weather, lots of sun and temps around 60 and no wind,, though any day we start the windy season here where it can howl around 50 to 60 miles an hour for days on end.

    Got excused from jury duty and the dog is behaving himself long as I feed and pet him and go for walks, he is a prince.

    Just received hurtlocker and season one BSG at a good price.
    Nolo complaints. But that is usually what I say right before shit goes south. Never fails.

  38. 38.

    General Winfield Stuck

    Oh and I hate Hockey. Bunch of people skating around swinging sticks at something you can’t see on teevee.

  39. 39.

    JenJen

    @jeffreyw: Thanks for posting that pic, jeffreyw! Can’t wait to get my gear… the Tunch “FEED” apron and the “DIAF” mug. :-)

    @General Winfield Stuck: I never fully appreciated hockey on teevee until I got a High Def television. It’s practically why High Def was invented, if you ask me. You can see the puck! I promise.

  40. 40.

    fledermaus

    My favorite remains “A Quick One While He’s Away” from Live at Leeds. I’ve been kinda obsessed with that song for the last month

  41. 41.

    Fulcanelli

    @WaterGirl:

    You guys all seem to know so much about animals… what do you know about pet insurance?
    …
    I just got two kitties and plan to get a puppy in the spring, and I am trying to figure out whether to get pet insurance.

    We’ve got PetPlan on our young pup Max, and we’ve been pleased. Submit the bills and they pay, no problem.

    Now if I could only afford health insurance for me and the Mrs that was so efficient….

  42. 42.

    Violet

    @JenJen:
    The first time my mom saw a baseball game on a high def TV she exclaimed, “I can see the ball!” It was kind of funny, but I knew exactly what she meant. You really could see the ball as the pitch was thrown as opposed to waiting for replays like on regular TVs. Figure the hockey puck must be the same.

  44. 44.

    fraught

    @JenJen: @Violet:

    I do think they could prop up Welk, get his arms moving with wires. It wouldn’t be much worse than Daltrey gasping away, and Townsend doing that wind up that made his arm look like an animatronic graft. They should stop humiliating our revered old rock stars by making them offers of money they can’t refuse. Someone’s going to die up there from the exertion and then they’ll have to go back to Britney Spears or Jessica Simpson or some other white incompetent who won’t do a nasty Janet Jackson move. Halftime at the superbowl is now certifiably a joke.

    OT: is johnny Weir effeminate enough?

  45. 45.

    Violet

    @JenJen:
    Yeah, it really does make a difference for sports. I’m totally spoiled and get kind of whiny when things are in regular def. We changed from satellite to cable recently and the quality is lower. I thought HD was HD, but you can really tell a difference from the satellite.

  46. 46.

    JenJen

    @fraught:

    OT: is johnny Weir effeminate enough?

    What? Johnny Weir is FIERCE. He has a reality show on Sundance that will make you change your mind about him, the guy is absolutely irreverent and hilarious. Oh, and may I share my favorite comment I’ve read about Weir from last night, via Gawker?

    He was fucking robbed. He skated a purist routine, his jumps were clean, his outfit was fierce, his music on point, the choreography was great, he had the audience enthralled and it was too much dazzle for these lame assholes. If a queen can’t razzle and dazzle in ice-skating then where the fuck is said queen to go and razzle and dazzle? To say he had not many transitions ‘just like Pachenko’ is so stupid since Pachenko is #1. Johnny threw a fucking glitter grenade in that bitch and obviously some people could not handle it.

    Word. :-)

  47. 47.

    gbear

    I don’t want to remember them at all with Kenny Jones on drums. Sure, it was still decent, but that dood blew chunks even though replacing Moon was probably impossible.

    Kenny was actually a really great drummer for Faces and The Small Faces before that. I’ve been listening to a compilation of Small Faces songs on the Immediate label and those songs were the equal of any Who songs at the time. The Who album I’ve been listening to lately is the expanded reissue of The Who Sell Out (The album that preceded Tommy). It may be my favorite Who album. Tons of Entwistle and Moon humor and also ‘I Can See For Miles’. the best single the band ever recorded.

  48. 48.

    Violet

    @fraught:

    OT: is johnny Weir effeminate enough?

    I love Johnny Weir. He’s beyond effeminate. He’s a fabulous diva with his furs and nail polish. He’s good enough at the skating stuff to be competitive and his choreography is really out there. I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I get such a kick out of him.

    The Skating Federation people don’t like him because they want the sport to be all macho to appeal to the NASCAR watching, beer swilling types. That’s just stupid, imho. Let NASCAR folks watch cars going in circles and let skating have all types of competitors. Johnny Weir brings eyeballs to the TV. In the end, that’s kind of what they want, right?

    Edit – What JenJen said. @JenJen

  49. 49.

    andrea

    I’m watching curling, USA vs. Switzerland because Canada’s women team was beating the snot out of the Swedish women.

    I want a DIAF mug and I’m not even a cat person. Lily’s too sweet to be on a DIAF mug.

  50. 50.

    JenJen

    @Violet: THANK YOU! And Evan Lysacek? Bitch, please. His Vera Wang cockatoo-fingers weren’t doing a thing for me. ;-)

    JOHNNY WEIR FOREVER

    @gbear: Gawd, that TBogg post title is priceless!

  53. 53.

    Cat Lady

    is johnny Weir effeminate enough?

    Yes.

    “Glitter Grenade” is my new favorite saying. Thanks JenJen.

    Amy “Alabama shooter” Bishop is one fucked up whackadoodle angry asshole who should have been locked up long ago. There is some serious finger pointing going on here in Mass. The rampage she went on after she shot her brother would have had a man locked up for a very long time.

  54. 54.

    The Claw

    A gentle, not-mean-at-all contrarian opinion:

    I’m an oldster too, but that clip makes me want to drive safely in a school zone. I don’t want to go ad hominem at all, YMMV and all, but by 1982 The Who were middle-aged guys playing out the string.

    If you want some drive-fast music from that era, en vivo de 1982, may I suggest:

    Bad Brains – Big Takeover – Live CBGB 1982
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcspR0yCRLY

    …and that song was already five or six years old at that point, so it was already part of the canon. I’m not cheating and picking something hot from the fires of creation.

  57. 57.

    JGabriel

    @The Claw:

    I don’t want to go ad hominem at all, YMMV and all, but by 1982 The Who were middle-aged guys playing out the string.

    Pete Townshend was 36-37 in 1982. Maybe not a spring chicken, but not exactly old either. I’m not even sure the thirties count as middle-aged. Doesn’t middle-age start more around 40 or 50?

    .

  59. 59.

    Annie

    @JK:

    Just listened to Dire Straits on the way home…Forgot about them, but oh so nice when stuck in traffic…After that got a little Steely Dan.

  61. 61.

    Violet

    @JenJen: @JenJen:

    THANK YOU! And Evan Lysacek? Bitch, please. His Vera Wang cockatoo-fingers weren’t doing a thing for me. ;-)

    Absolutely. Even Vera Wang couldn’t save his pouty, it’s-my-turn-why-the-hell-did-Pleshenko-show-up-and-ruin-it attitude.

    Johnny Weir was totally robbed. He got the crowd going, his performance was fantastic. He didn’t fall like some of those other losers who were served up higher scores on the incomprehensible newfangled scoring system platter. He should have gotten a much higher score.

    And hey, NBC, where was Johnny’s fabulous fur-encrusted video package? They spent hours making Pleshenko look like the next Bond villain, and both Evan and lavender vested whatshisname got profiled. But Johnny? Hardly a mention. NBC is skeered of His Fierceness.

  62. 62.

    mr. whipple

    @Violet:

    If there’s one thing I think skating has never been, it’s macho. This dood is just liiiitle over the top at this point in time.

    “Kenny was actually a really great drummer for Faces and The Small Faces before that. ”

    I think he’s a good drummer, but not a good stylistic fit for the Who. I actually feel for the guy for trying to do the impossible.

  63. 63.

    fraught

    @Violet: @JenJen:

    “Is Johnny Weir effeminate enough?” was not a rhetorical question. I was just wondering how far he can go without reaching the tipping point where he’ll be just a drag queen on ice, which would not be a bad thing, IMO. Is there a gender tipping point? Is there any longer a “top” over which it is possible to go? Will there be a time when men and women will compete in the the same event? Just musing on these things on an open thread.

  64. 64.

    gbear

    @mr. whipple:

    I think he’s a good drummer, but not a good stylistic fit for the Who. I actually feel for the guy for trying to do the impossible.

    I agree completely. That plus can you imagine what it was like coming into a band with the likes of Townsend at the helm? I’m a drummer and I can’t see it as being anything but a complete nightmare. From what I’ve read Daltry just HATED the Who with Kenny playing drums.

  66. 66.

    J. Michael Neal

    @JenJen:

    So true! High Def is at its best and most useful when you’re viewing sports. So vivid! I’m loving the Olympics even more than usual this year.

    Me, too, once NBC finally started showing the right events. The cross-country was pretty good, but the US/Japan curling match was surprisingly attractive. That Japanese skip has a glare that would curdle milk. I love it. And her name is Moe.

  67. 67.

    mr. whipple

    @gbear:

    Pete had a fantastic drummer on his solo albums, Simon Phillips. I think he may have done a late tour with the Who, too.

  70. 70.

    JenJen

    @fraught: It’s a good question, really. But Johnny Weir is in a class all his own and I doubt any other male skaters out there are interested in imitating his brand of diva. The judges hate the guy, so if you want to win medals, less Johnny, more Evginy Plushenko. But Weir seems to be carving out a nice career for himself as a fashion icon and reality star after he hangs up his competition skates after Vancouver.

    Here’s a perfect example of Weir in all his fierce glory and fabulosity. :-) Definitely not everybody’s cuppa, but damn, he cracks me up and I just love him.

    If you have Sundance, watch his show, just once. It’s hysterical, especially his alter-ego Russian skating coach persona, but it’s also interesting to peak behind the weird-ass skating world curtain, and see what exactly goes into training to be an elite skater. He’s very focused, driven, creative, and over-the-top.

  75. 75.

    Violet

    @mr. whipple:

    If there’s one thing I think skating has never been, it’s macho. This dood is just liiiitle over the top at this point in time.

    Back in Dick Button’s day I think men’s skating was a little less glam. But these days they’re trying to macho it up, which is just kind of funny to me.

    @fraught:
    Don’t think men and women will be allowed to compete together. Are there any sports on the international stage where men and women compete together? Johnny Weir is really an unusual character. Sure, he’s almost at drag queen level, but he’s also a very good skater with excellent fundamental skills. Why should skating care what he looks like? Shouldn’t they judge him on his skating?

  77. 77.

    de stijl

    That Japanese skip has a glare that would curdle milk. I love it. And her name is Moe.

    Moe is their leader.

  78. 78.

    JK

    @Carrie:

    I don’t much for anything the Who recorded after Quadrophenia, but everything from My Generation through Quadrophenia is close to perfect in my mind.

  80. 80.

    mr. whipple

    @JenJen:

    “The judges hate the guy, so if you want to win medals, ”

    Really? I would think Dick Button and Scott Hamilton would think he’s fabulous. I just assume the judges have a similar taste.

  82. 82.

    Chat Noir

    @WaterGirl: I got pet insurance through PetPlan a couple years ago for my two aging kitties. For the “Gold” plan, I pay about $325 per year for both cats (Sherman’s premium is a little higher because he has a pre-existing condition with his urinary tract). The Humane Society of the U.S. recommends them.

    They’ll give you a free online quote for your fur children.

  83. 83.

    Carrie

    @gbear: Au contraire, my friend. Tommy’s a classic.

    I was a huge fan and barely a teen so, this was huge for me.

    ETA- The movie Tommy….not album.

  85. 85.

    JenJen

    @Violet:

    Are there any sports on the international stage where men and women compete together?

    As far as I know, the only Olympic sport where men and women compete together are the Equestrian events.

    @mr. whipple: Believe it or not, he even makes Scott Hamilton uncomfortable and squirmy. It’s one of the reasons I get such a kick out of him. Also, in the feature film about him that aired on Sundance, it was interesting to learn that he’s a superstar in Russia. Fans chase after him on the streets like he’s one of the freaking Jonas Brothers.

  86. 86.

    Attaturk

    I thought the Who were fine at the Super Bowl, were they the greatest live band of their time on 2/7/2010, no, but they were still pretty good — and I understand they were really loved by those AT the game.

    BTW, as a Who fan (so yeah, I’m giving them a break) my favorites are “Young Man Blues” off Live at Leeds and the entire Side 3 of Quadrophenia, Sea and Sand, 5:15, etc. AWESOME.

  89. 89.

    Mark S.

    I’ve been sort of following the NBA trading deadline and I have a couple of questions. Is the goal to have as many expiring contracts as possible? Also, does it seem like 90% of the teams in any given year are rebuilding? Are there really any Clipper fans?

  93. 93.

    de stijl

    JenJen,

    Why no coed curling? There’s no upper body strength or body weight benefit for the men or stamina or “gracefulness” benefit for women.

    Mixed Curling in 2014!!

    I also advocate bocce as a summer Olympic sport – mens, womens, and mixed.

  94. 94.

    mr. whipple

    @Mark S.:

    Following it closely, too, as a Cavs fan.

    From what I understand, there’s only 3 teams this year that will make money. For once, Cleveland is one of them and can afford to be a buyer and not a seller.

  99. 99.

    John O

    Funny, I don’t think of that one as a driving song (I Want To Drive Somewhere by the Violent Femmes, and Petty’s Running Down the Dream come to mind) but I like it a lot.

    I like it in the same way I thought Tusk by Fleetwood Mac was late-great. But I had great seats for a show they started with that one.

  100. 100.

    Violet

    @JenJen:

    Believe it or not, he even makes Scott Hamilton uncomfortable and squirmy. It’s one of the reasons I get such a kick out of him.

    Yep. Scott Hamilton’s voice changes and he kind of doesn’t know what to say when Johnny is showing his fabulosity. Heh.

    The judges don’t like him because he isn’t following the current instruction to make men’s skating look like a Tough, Macho Sport. It is tough – the skaters work incredibly hard. But there’s some weird push to make the skaters look like they all play football and watch NASCAR in their spare time when they aren’t fixing cars or drinking cheap beer. It’s bizarre to me. Just let them be who they are. Some of the skaters emphasize their masculine, athleticism, and some emphasize their fabulous artistry. It’s all good.

  101. 101.

    J. Michael Neal

    I’m trying to figure out whether to get PetPlan. Looks good. I probably will for Dirk and Ringling. Monster is 16, so I’m not sure it’s worth it. Eddie is . . . Eddie. Hit in the head, kidney stones, cancer; is there anything they’d cover as not being a pre-existing condition?

  102. 102.

    mr. whipple

    Didn’t figure skaters used to have to skate figures? I could swear when I was a kid I watched them try to trace figure 8’s and the like. When did they quit that?

  103. 103.

    Mark S.

    @mr. whipple:

    Well, you just got Antawn Jamison. Amare is apparently going nowhere.

    I can believe only three teams are making money. There are only two teams I see that can win the championship.

  105. 105.

    mr. whipple

    But there’s some weird push to make the skaters look like they all play football and watch NASCAR in their spare time when they aren’t fixing cars or drinking cheap beer.

    In those outfits?

  107. 107.

    Paris

    wonder what old group the Superbowl folks will hire for next year’s halftime show?

    Jethro Tull is making an appearance in our area this summer. The bonus is that Tull these days is basically Fairport Convention being fronted by Ian Anderson.

  108. 108.

    mr. whipple

    Amare is apparently going nowhere.

    I got my fingers crossed. Rumor had him going to Miami or Boston. ((((shudder))))

  109. 109.

    debit

    I propose Neil Diamond for the next Superbowl halftime. For giggles, he could do a medley of the Who’s greatest hits. I doubt he could do worse than they did.

  110. 110.

    JenJen

    @mr. whipple: I think compulsory figures were eliminated after the Calgary Games. I imagine it’s because they made for boring TV?

    Then again, Men’s Downhill makes for boring TV, judging by the scant 25 minutes NBC devoted to coverage so they could bring us 3.5 hours of pairs figure skating. Grrrr. I’m still hacked off about that, and I actually like figure skating. When did Men’s Downhill stop being the marquee event of the Olympic Games?

  112. 112.

    J. Michael Neal

    @JenJen:

    Speaking of the Olympics, everyone should just be happy this sort of thing is no longer an Olympic event.

    Figure skating is that sort of thing.

    The problem with co-ed curling is that there wouldn’t be as many shots of Moe directing her team.

  114. 114.

    Violet

    @debit:
    Neil Diamond gives a heck of a show. He’d be a good choice for Superbowl halftime. Old enough that the older folks don’t say, “Who’s that?” and has plenty of hits that everyone knows so drunken spectators could sing along.

  116. 116.

    Annie

    @JK:

    Thanks. What an awesome video.

    @J. Michael Neal:

    Yes. He is one of the best guitarists ever, but he never had the fame that Eric Clapton enjoyed. Which to me made him even more endearing and wonderful to listen too.

  117. 117.

    General Winfield Stuck

    Fuck NBC with a pitchfork. Went to try and get live streaming coverage of events on their website, and they said I had to be a subscriber to MSNBC. I thought, that’s cool, cause I do through Dish network. I have the international package that costs 10 bucks but MSNBC is one of the few channels on that package. But nooo, not good enough. NBC said I had to have the Dish 200 package that costs about 50 bucks a month I think. What a ripoff, guess I’ll have to watch Curling on my crt tv.

  119. 119.

    debit

    @Violet: I grew up listening to Hot August Night and still pull it out every now and again for a listen. However, I’ve heard more recent live versions of some of his tunes that brought to mind Bill Murray’s lounge singer act on SNL. Happy to proven wrong on this; I really crushed hard on him as a wee!Deb along with Laurence Olivier, Errol Flyyn and Danny Kaye. And Adam West as Batman. Don’t judge me.

  120. 120.

    Mark S.

    @mr. whipple:

    Rumor had him going to Miami or Boston.

    Boston seems preoccupied with getting Nate Robinson from the Knicks, who I don’t think is a very good fit for them. Phoenix isn’t impressed with what Miami is offering them.

  121. 121.

    Max

    Happy Birthday Laura W! 29?

    I am now officially on vacation. My plane leaves SFO at midnight and I’m headed to Florida. I’m going to Jax, so it’s actually more like heading to south Georgia.

    I do not understand how we traveled before the iphone/ipod. For my long journey east, I’ve got two movies and the entire 1st season of Lie to Me.

    I am an O-bot/Apple Whore.

  122. 122.

    YellowJournalism

    Johnny threw a fucking glitter grenade in that bitch and obviously some people could not handle it.

    I want to stitch this on a pillow.

  123. 123.

    J. Michael Neal

    @Annie: He’s great in concert, too. Nice, dry sense of humor. He’s just a pleasant, middle-aged guy up there. Very “Do America;” he obviously had a great time being a rock star 25 years ago, but has no interest in doing it again.

  124. 124.

    Violet

    @J. Michael Neal:
    According to the wiki link, there were arguments that the compulsory figures also held back skaters who were good at the freestyle. Just like rules and practices have changed in other sports (in football players used to play both offense and defense, like in rugby; now they play one or the other), I guess skating has changed too.

  125. 125.

    JenJen

    @J. Michael Neal: Oh pffffffft. Go drink some frozen hater-ade. ;-)

    Figure skating has been an Olympic event since 1924, and we wimmen-folk especially like it. And at least it’s sorta-athletic. It’s heresy to compare it to performing ballet in a snow rink wearing skis.

    I’ve got your back on Synchronized Swimming though!

    @YellowJournalism: Ain’t it great? I’ve been laughing about Glitter Grenades all day long.

  127. 127.

    John O

    @Violet:

    ND was my third concert ever, in 1978, and he kicked my young weak ass. I’ll never disrespect him, nor will I ever disrespect Neil and Babs’ music teacher.

    In Neil Diamond’s case, it has become easier to ridicule than it is admit he put out some good catchy pop songs, and knew how to do a show.

  128. 128.

    mr. whipple

    I do not understand how we traveled before the iphone/ipod.

    You’d punch your brother, count the number of different state license plates, and get hot and grumpy.

  129. 129.

    ellaesther

    Oh man, I have such a clear memory of being in high school and listening to the Who just a few years after Who’s Next, yet thinking that I had unearthed this ancient treasure (because that’s what high schooler’s are like) and feeling like it was just… me. My album.

    Baba O’Reily man — talk about wanting to drive too fast!

  131. 131.

    General Winfield Stuck

    @Max:

    Apple Whore.

    our family friendly censors suggest “Apple Trollop”

    Thank you for your cooperation. And have a nice flight!!

  133. 133.

    PurpleGirl

    @mr. whipple: They stopped showing a separate figures component some time back. The skaters still have to be able to perform them though. The rulebook for figures is 21 pages long. The US Figure Skating Association has is at their website. The skating federations have been changing scoring methods since the Salt Lake City games.

    Any body remember Rudy Galindo? In his time he as quite flamboyant. And he was open about being gay and then becoming HIV positive.

    I saw pieces of the Johnny Weir thing… I think Weir is beyond having an orientation. He is just glitter, glam and flamboyant.

  137. 137.

    mr. whipple

    @PurpleGirl:

    “I saw pieces of the Johnny Weir thing… I think Weir is beyond having an orientation. He is just glitter, glam and flamboyant.”

    I was trying to decide if he was more New York Dolls or Marlyn Manson.

  138. 138.

    Max

    @General Winfield Stuck: Thank you. I will be away from Max the Wheaten for 6 nights and that is the longest we’ve been apart in the 4 years I’ve been owned by him.

    I was very sad when I dropped him off at daycare for his stay. He, on the other paw, couldn’t wait to get in the mix with the other doggies.

    Thankfully, they have webcam.

  139. 139.

    Omnes Omnibus

    Makes me feel like driving too fast.

    “Radar Love” by Golden Earring. This song instantly adds 15-20 mph to my driving speed.

  141. 141.

    General Winfield Stuck

    @Max: He’ll have buddies to play with. Enjoy yourself and try to not worry bout him. And think how happy the reunion will be for both of you.

  145. 145.

    Annie

    @Max:

    Oh…I sometimes wonder if it is harder for us than for them…When I leave, I have babysitters for my kitties, with several pages of instruction that I am sure the babysitters ignore (as they should). It always breaks my heart to drive away. When I return, the darlings are fine, sorta of happy to see me, and we immediately get back into our daily routine. They have no idea how hard it is for me to leave them, and I have no idea what they think when I am gone. But it is never easy.

    Have a great trip.

  146. 146.

    mr. whipple

    “Corporate Media Hype Tea Partiers Way beyond their Actual Significance

    Percentage of Americans who favor socialism: 20

    Percentage of Americans involved in Tea Party Movement: 11

    Number of mentions of “Tea Party” past month in Lexis radio and tv transcript search: 1042*

    Number of mentions of “socialism” past month in Lexis radio and tv transcript search: 69+”

    more: http://www.juancole.com/2010/02/corporate-media-hype-tea-partiers-way.html

  147. 147.

    General Winfield Stuck

    @Max: Wow. a live cam. I’ve seen video clips but not a live feed of baby Hummers. Thank you so much:-)

  150. 150.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @JK: Anything off London Calling, esp. “Koka Kola”, “Brand New Cadillac,” and “Death or Glory”.

  152. 152.

    ellaesther

    @mr. whipple: Someone in a different slice of the World o’ Interwebz that I cyber-inhabit said last night that it’s like he and Lady GaGa have their own sexuality — “I don’t know. They’re glittersexuals, maybe?”

    I am not ashamed to say that I LOL’ed.

  159. 159.

    dcBill

    Kenny’s a great drummer, but not right for the Who. Simon Phillips was TOO good, i.e., precise. Zak is the only one that comes close to the “elegant anarchy” that the songs need. Keith’s fills sounded like you pushed a drum set down a flight of stairs, but they landed set up perfectly. Zak can do that too. Look up a British band called “Dodgy” that drummer can do it too.

  161. 161.

    John O

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    That’s interesting, because Radar Love makes me want to drive real fast too, except I would have to include pointing my car at a solid and immovable object until it was too late.

  163. 163.

    Mike E

    @JK: Ms. Hynde made a gesture of respect and kissed the stage after Iggy Pop had been there–all I wanted to do was make love to that spot.

  165. 165.

    de stijl

    The problem with co-ed curling is that there wouldn’t be as many shots of Moe directing her team.

    Moe is their leader.

    There will always be shots of Moe directing her team unless the cameraman wants to get a deserved double eye poke.

    Do not fuck with Moe.

  166. 166.

    J. Michael Neal

    @JK:

    Chrissie Hynde is one of the greatest female singers of all-time and also one of the sexiest

    She is the walking evidence that “sexy” is not the same thing as “beautiful.” I don’t think that she’s particularly attractive, but GOOD LORD she is sexy.

  168. 168.

    de stijl

    More songs about Johnny Weir and food:

    More Than This, Roxy Music 1982 on Avalon.

    Actually anything off Avalon. Slave To Love, Avalon, The Main Thing. Or anything in the Bryan Ferry or Roxy Music oeuvre.

    PS – Thanks for my evening set list!

  169. 169.

    SIA

    @JK:

    All the Young Dudes

    Yes that’s a good one. And I like the song too. Har har. (But I really do love that song!)

  172. 172.

    Laura W

    @John O:

    But good lord, as a young man I had a pretty serious thing for Patti Smith

    There is not time enough remaining in my life to get into my college years’ obsession with Patti. Trust me when I say “obsession”. Sort of an understatement, really. And thanks for the sweet birthday wishes. (Everyone).

    You will LOVE this. I’ve not seen her do this for over three decades but just watching this, my heart is in my throat. Odd how some people affect you that way for life, huh?
    (And the fact that you mention Patti Smith and Susan Dey in the same breath makes me truly respect your “range” and broad inclusivity.)

  176. 176.

    freelancer

    While I love classic rock and many of the music selections you all have posted. I think I’ll let y’all feel old for a bit.

    I was 14 when I first went and saw The Presidents of the United States of America at my first concert. It was loud as fuck and awesome.

    “Naked and Famous”

  178. 178.

    Laura W

    @John O: And because it’s Ash Wed. and the start of Lent and all today, in addition to my Big Day, who could possibly not love this? From 2007, even. Not one bit less amazing than her ’79 version.

    Jesus died for somebody’s sins but not mine.

    Patti looks and sounds as good as she did 30 years ago because back then she looked and sounded 30 years older than she was. She has caught up with herself and is truly in full bloom. IMO, of course.

  180. 180.

    geg6

    Johnny Weir is the fabulousness and so is his show on Sundance. I adore him and would love to go out for drinks with him. Or shopping. Did anyone catch him on Real Sports on HBO? Frank Deford interviewed him and Johnny took him shopping at Barney’s and gave him a makeover. Bryant Gumbel seemed to want to make fun of him but Deford seemed completely charmed and impressed with him. And while I’m here, I must also recommend a PBS series I just watched, “Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates. He traces the stories of the arrival in America of the ancestors of people like Kristi Yamaguchi, Queen Noor, Stephen Colbert, Mario Battali, and other well known people. Very interesting and how he walks them through their family’s stories, most of which they don’t know until he tells them, is fascinating to watch.

  188. 188.

    mr. whipple

    @ellaesther:

    “I like to talk about the fact that I like loud music — that, moreover, for awhile, my tastes were getting louder as I aged.”

    I’ve always liked it loud, but getting old now I can get away with it. When the cops show up at the door I can say, “eh, did you say somethin young man?”

  191. 191.

    de stijl

    She is the walking evidence that “sexy” is not the same thing as “beautiful.” I don’t think that she’s particularly attractive, but GOOD LORD she is sexy.

    Disagree with you on Chrissie Hynde’s attractiveness (she’s hot), but I understand where you’re coming from.

    I’ll see your Chrissie Hynde, and raise you PJ Harvey.

    Thanks also for adding “Talk Of The Town” to my evening set list (also good Johnny Weir?)

  193. 193.

    mr. whipple

    “I don’t think that she’s particularly attractive, but GOOD LORD she is sexy.”

    I agree. I always felt like someone should help her out with the eyeliner.

  194. 194.

    ellaesther

    @mr. whipple: My blog being quoted back to me on one of my favorite blogs…! I’m all aflutter from the cool meta-ness!

    Ahem.

    After composing myself, I can say this: I wrote that post and, not for the first time, thought: Where on earth did the love of loud come from, if I was starting from James Taylor?

    And honest to God, just tonight, when I wrote something waaaay upstream about listening to Baba O’Riley in high school, I went: “OHHHH!”

    Yeah — my love of loud is firmly based in The Who, and honestly, you couldn’t get much better than that.

  195. 195.

    ellaesther

    You know who plays guitar and is both beautiful and sexy?

    Bonnie Raitt.

    I saw her perform once and hand to God, would have switched teams for the night.

  198. 198.

    Comrade Kevin

    Ten hours with no electricity today. Thank goodness I live in a place with such a nice climate.

  201. 201.

    Mike E

    @ellaesther:

    my love of loud is firmly based in The Who, and honestly, you couldn’t get much better than that

    Nor louder. They held the Guiness Book record for most dBs at a concert, a record you wouldn’t want to witness being broken–unless hearing is not important to you!

    My concert-going has assuredly rendered me slightly deaf despite cramming tissue into my ears. I guess tinnitus is a sort of rite of passage..

  202. 202.

    madmommy

    The women’s downhill is just insane! I’ve lost count of how many spectacular wipeouts they had!! Amazingly, everyone was able to walk away (some needed assistance)

    Johnny Weir is too fierce for these Philistine judges. I hope Plushenko falls tonight and Johnny skates the routine of his life. They’d probably still give the gold to Evan just for showing up in costume.

    Short-track speed skating relay on now, w00t!

  203. 203.

    Anne Laurie

    @YellowJournalism:

    I love that Weir got rid of the real fur from his outfit, but his coach didn’t lose her real fur coat.

    First PETA weenie tries to fvck with her, she ends up wearing their skin as a fashion accessory. And rockin’ it.

  204. 204.

    mr. whipple

    @ellaesther:

    I’ve always liked the loud, in pretty much all music. If you play in an orchestra, or a big band, or of course rock, it’s just freaking loud and powerful. I’ve always liked to hear things at concert volume.

    Thanks for the tip on The Architects.

  206. 206.

    The Golux

    As a bass player, one aspect of that video pissed me off, what with John Entwistle playing the absolute shit out of his bass, and Not. One. Single. Fucking. Closeup. Not even a front view.

    But then, bassists rarely get any attention from cameramen.

  210. 210.

    SIA

    @General Winfield Stuck: Yes indeed, since high school. I have noticed you are too. :)

    Robert Plant’s voice makes my blood boil (in a good way). I like everything they ever did, including Kasmir.

    ETA BTW thanks for the nod re LZ @ YouTube – going to check it out now.

  211. 211.

    Tax Analyst

    @r€nato:

    Um, am I going to offend anyone here if I say that I found their SB halftime performance disappointing and lame?

    I kind of agree. The instrumental work seemed OK, but the vocals were awful, although I think the All-Time worst Rock Band Halftime Show was when Bono and U2 did the NBA All-Star Game some time back. Bono looked like a spaz trying to dribble a basketball around the band staging area. Christ, I doubt Bono had ever played basketball in his entire life, and almost certainly not as a kid growing up in Ireland.

    I guess it could have been worse – they could have had him trying to shoot 3-point shots instead.

  212. 212.

    ellaesther

    @Mike E: Oh yeah, I finally bought those fancy musician earplugs, because I began to get really worried about myself. They’re actually pretty awesome in that, if the acoustics suck, they partially make up for it.

  214. 214.

    ellaesther

    @mr. whipple: Yay! I brought someone new to The Architects! Yay!

    They are such a great example of a band that should be WAY bigger than they are. I’ve seen them in a couple of little dinky places and man, you would think that they were in a stadium, and playing to the back row. They’re really, really good live.

  216. 216.

    JK

    @r€nato:

    Townshend and Daltrey did the best they could for their age. Unfortunately, the NFL lacked the vision to book the the Who, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty when they were in their prime and could have delivered truly great performances.

  218. 218.

    Jacquelyn

    Hey, I got a letter from Michael Steele and the RNC wanting to know the opinions of a grassroots Republican like me!!!! (They’re on crack, aren’t they?)

    The answer options are: Yes, No, No opinion

    1. Do you agree with Barack Obama and the Democrats that taxes should be raised for the sake of “fairness,” regardless of the negative impact it is likely to have on the economy?
    2. Do you believe the federal government has gone too far in bailing out failing banks, insurance companies and the auto industry?
    3. Do you support amnesty for illegal aliens?
    4. Should English be the official language of the US?
    5. Are you in favor of granting retroactive Social Security eligibility to illegal immigrants who gain US citizenship through amnesty?
    6. Are you in favor of the expanded welfare benefits and unlimited elgibility (no time, education or work requirements) that Democrats in Congress are pushing to pass?
    7. Do you believe that Barack Obama’s nominees for federal courts should be immediately and unquestionably approved for their lifetime appointments by the US Senate?
    8. Do you believe that the best way to increase the quality and effectiveness of public education in the US is to rapidly expand federal funding while eliminating performance standards and accountability?
    9. Do you support the creation of a national health insurance plan that would be anministered by bureaucrats in Washington, DC?
    10. Do you believe that the quality and availability of health care will increase if the federal government dictates pricing to doctors and hospitals?
    11. Are you confident that new medicines and medical treatments will continue to be developed if the federal government controls prescription drug prices and sets profit margins for research and pharmaceutical companies?
    ***I’m starting to sense a trend here….***
    12. Are you in favor of creating a government-funded “Citizen Volunteer Corps” that would pay young people to do work now done by churches and charities, earning Corps Members the same pay and benefits given to military veterans?
    13. Are you in favor of reinstituting the military draft, as Democrats in Congress have proposed?
    14. Do you believe that the federal government should allow the unionization of the Dept of Homeland Security employees who serve in positions critical to the safety and security of our nation?
    15. Do you support Democrats’ drive to eliminate workers’ right to a private ballot when considering unionization of their place of employment?

    Ok, now let’s play Bullshit Bingo!!! I think I’ll write in my answers to this and send it back to them in their postage-paid envelope – suckers!

  219. 219.

    WaterGirl

    @R-Jud: You’re probably long gone by now, but just in case you’re not… It looks like there is at least a $50 deductible on the plans I have seen, so am I right in thinking that none of the $40 would be covered?

  221. 221.

    WaterGirl

    @Fulcanelli: @Chat Noir:

    Thanks for the tips on PetPlan! I looked into it, and it does sound like a good plan. I would be interested in knowing what each of you would recommend on the deductible amount ($50 vs. $100 vs. $200) and the co-insurance amount (100%, 90% or 80%).

  224. 224.

    Tax Analyst

    @debit:

    However, I’ve heard more recent live versions of some of his tunes that brought to mind Bill Murray’s lounge singer act on SNL.

    Anybody here remember when Bill Murray did a lounge singer version of Tull’s “Aqualung” on SNL?

  225. 225.

    Tax Analyst

    @JK:

    Yes, Chrissie Hynde is certainly an all-time great…and still putting out pretty good stuff. Had a 2009 CD album release “Break Out The Concrete” that’s not bad at all, although “Loose Screw” from around 2003 was better IMO.

    But anybody who is my age (59, soon to be 60) and still writing and performing good new rock songs gets a ++++ in my book.

  226. 226.

    JK

    @Tax Analyst:

    Anybody who is my age (59, soon to be 60) and still writing and performing good new rock songs gets a ++++ in my book.

    Absolutely. More power to Chrissie.

    I will never forget Bill Murray’s wonderful renditions of the Star Wars theme and Stairway to Heaven.

  227. 227.

    meh

    such as it is – had a really fucking bad day – figure the worst shit that could wrong with a pregnancy and thats pretty much my day….ahm soooo tired…

  230. 230.

    meh

    everything is not ok but if you close your eyes long enough it all starts over….and eminance front helps, it actually does.

  233. 233.

    Jamey

    Wow, John, I hear this song, I think of one of the dozen or so “CSI” shows on CBS…

    And what the fuck is Daltrey doing holding a guitar?

  234. 234.

    Remember November

    I remember seeing this on MTV. Playing along to Pinball wizrd on my knock-off Les Paul. Good times.

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