• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • About Us
  • Lexicon
  • Contact Us
  • Our Store
  • ↑
  • ↓
  • ←
  • →

Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The GOP couldn’t organize an orgy in a whorehouse with a fist full of 50s.

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

This blog will pay for itself.

… pundit janitors mopping up after the GOP

An almost top 10,000 blog!

“Squeaker” McCarthy

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

Second rate reporter says what?

I’m pretty sure there’s only one Jack Smith.

This fight is for everything.

A democracy can’t function when people can’t distinguish facts from lies.

New McCarthy, same old McCarthyism.

Wow, you are pre-disappointed. How surprising.

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

Infrastructure week. at last.

This really is a full service blog.

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

I know this must be bad for Joe Biden, I just don’t know how.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

This year has been the longest three days of putin’s life.

I really should read my own blog.

If senate republicans had any shame, they’d die of it.

Nancy smash is sick of your bullshit.

The words do not have to be perfect.

Mobile Menu

  • Winnable House Races
  • Donate with Venmo, Zelle & PayPal
  • Site Feedback
  • War in Ukraine
  • Submit Photos to On the Road
  • Politics
  • On The Road
  • Open Threads
  • Topics
  • Balloon Juice 2023 Pet Calendar (coming soon)
  • COVID-19 Coronavirus
  • Authors
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Lexicon
  • Our Store
  • Politics
  • Open Threads
  • War in Ukraine
  • Garden Chats
  • On The Road
  • 2021-22 Fundraising!
You are here: Home / Open Threads / Scenes from the Debacle

Scenes from the Debacle

by John Cole|  July 18, 20112:55 pm| 53 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

FacebookTweetEmail

Got some pictures form the party. Here are the food tables:

Here are some of the guests- that is the birthday boy in the Hawaiian shirt, and the woman seated in the sleeveless green blouse is my neighbor who had that horrible tumor surgery we talked about at length. She’s fully recovered and knocking back a Yuengling. Medicare made that possible:

Here are some more of the guests in the back yard. That entire area that they are sitting in was completely unusable last year, because it was covered with pine tree branches. I had the trees trimmed all the way up, and now it is my favorite space in the backyard, because the ground is soft from decades of pine needles (I’ve hauled out about 35 bags of needles) and it is nice and shady and cool):

And finally, the desserts. Rather than a big cake, we went with lots of choices. We had a cake professionally made at the Bethel Park bakeries, Harald made a delicious plum and apple cake and we mixed some heavy whipping cream with confectioners sugar and Couintreau, and we had lemon meringue pie, a ridiculous cheesecake, and ice cream:

If you are wondering which one is me, I am the one in the kitchen sweating. I just got the back yard put back together.

FacebookTweetEmail
Previous Post: « How To Be a Hack
Next Post: News of the World Whistleblower Sean Hoare Found Dead! »

Reader Interactions

53Comments

  1. 1.

    eemom

    July 18, 2011 at 2:59 pm

    Cole, you are such a teeeeeeaaase.

    At this point, I’d take a picture of you over the Reply button.

    Ya can’t keep stalling FOREVER, ya know. Kay told us how the whole NN was one big “Where’s Cole?”

  2. 2.

    Ash Can

    July 18, 2011 at 2:59 pm

    Looks fabulous. Congratulations on a very successful party.

  3. 3.

    CT Voter

    July 18, 2011 at 3:01 pm

    Can I be adopted by your family? At least for the birthday celebrations?

  4. 4.

    Thoughtful Black Co-Citizen

    July 18, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    Thanks buddy. I needed something to make my tuna fish sandwich look EXTRA boring.

  5. 5.

    Morbo

    July 18, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    Clearly the reason that he is so unwilling to have his face shown is that Cole looks like Casey Anthony and doesn’t want someone crazy to run him off the road for the sake of the children.

  6. 6.

    CatHairEverywhere

    July 18, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    What a nice party! Was Rosie doing her duty as the Canine Clean-Up Crew? The food looks amazing, and now I am even less enthusiastic about my boring lunch.

  7. 7.

    Violet

    July 18, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    Looks like a great party! Those desserts are killing me. YUM! And do I spy the remnants of a mojito on the dessert table? Making me thirsty just thinking about it.

    Glad you had a great party. I bet your dad had a wonderful time. I guess your dogs (and visiting dogs) behaved themselves didn’t help themselves to the food? What about Tunch?

  8. 8.

    stuckinred

    July 18, 2011 at 3:17 pm

    We call harvested pine needles “pine straw” and use it for much here in Georgia.

  9. 9.

    eemom

    July 18, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    nice fence, also too.

  10. 10.

    Tsulagi

    July 18, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    Fence doesn’t look half bad. I’m impressed.

    BTW, if you don’t want the gray weathered look later, put some deck stain on it. If you do like the weathered look, then you’re good.

  11. 11.

    Fucen Pneumatic Fuck Wrench Tarmal

    July 18, 2011 at 3:19 pm

    one of the news of the world whistleblowers found dead.

    damn, murdoch inc is possibly living down to the name.

  12. 12.

    kay

    July 18, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    because the ground is soft from decades of pine needles

    I’m seething with jealousy that John Cole has pine straw. 35 bags, extra.

    That’s all I got out of the whole party story. Pine straw envy :)

  13. 13.

    stuckinred

    July 18, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    kay

    Not if he dumped it.

  14. 14.

    Punchy

    July 18, 2011 at 3:23 pm

    Ah, the ground is soft, like a woman’s breasts, or Obama’ negotiating strategy. Pine needles sounds exotic, you Marxist.

  15. 15.

    licensed to kill time

    July 18, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    I see I was not the only one eagerly scanning the pics for a John Cole sighting.

    Curses, foiled again!

  16. 16.

    jl

    July 18, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    Looks like a good party. Congratulations.

  17. 17.

    PurpleGirl

    July 18, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    Did you save the pine straw?

    Party looks like it was very good.

  18. 18.

    stuckinred

    July 18, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    All those folks look so.. . normal!

  19. 19.

    AliceBlue

    July 18, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    Yummyyummyyummy! Looks like a good time was had by all.

    John, if you dumped the pine straw, just tell me where it is. I’ll gladly drive from Georgia to West Virginia to get it.

  20. 20.

    stuckinred

    July 18, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    Alice Blue

    you in the ATL?

  21. 21.

    Belafon (formerly anonevent)

    July 18, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    If you are wondering which one is me, I am the one in the kitchen sweating.

    When John write novels, he goes by the name Thomas Pinchon.

  22. 22.

    Corner Stone

    July 18, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    I know there are a lot of very talented builders of strawmen here at BJ, but I’m not sure why everyone wants the actual pine needles.
    They are an abomination and a scourge. I could give you a couple bags a week just cleaning out my gutters.

  23. 23.

    Dee Loralei

    July 18, 2011 at 3:31 pm

    The scroll over captions on those party pics are effing boring. Geeze Cole, you don’t invite us, you rub our noses in the menu, you remain unphotographed and unphotographicable, and now you short change us on the snark. I want my money back! I demand a retraction and a public apology for all your many sins, listed above!

  24. 24.

    stuckinred

    July 18, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    Corner Stone

    it’s great mulch

  25. 25.

    AliceBlue

    July 18, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    stuckinred: Nope. I lived there for many years, but now I’m in Meriwether County.

  26. 26.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 18, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    You look ZACKLY like your dad only 29 years younger. Right?

  27. 27.

    MattR

    July 18, 2011 at 3:35 pm

    I see Rosie. I see an unknown dog. But no Lily :( Was she sitting at your feet in the kitchen?

  28. 28.

    Comrade Colette Collaboratrice

    July 18, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    I admire the clever use of camera angles to hide the rusted-out pickup truck on cinder blocks and the old toilet turned into a planter.

    Seriously, looks like it was a nice party. You’re a good son. Cheers to your dad.

  29. 29.

    stuckinred

    July 18, 2011 at 3:38 pm

    Alice

    Oh yea, we’ve talked about that before. I’m in Athens.

  30. 30.

    stuckinred

    July 18, 2011 at 3:40 pm

    MattR

    The black and white looks like another dogrobics candidate!

  31. 31.

    Ash Can

    July 18, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    @Comrade Colette Collaboratrice:

    I admire the clever use of camera angles to hide the rusted-out pickup truck on cinder blocks and the old toilet turned into a planter.

    Those are in the front yard.

  32. 32.

    PIGL

    July 18, 2011 at 3:48 pm

    It looks like a lovely family party, Mr. Cole.

    (rusty old trux and baby dux and all).

    ((are you sure those are pine trees? Look more like spruce from what I can see))

  33. 33.

    ROSSINDETROIT

    July 18, 2011 at 3:50 pm

    It takes a COLOSSAL amount of work to put on a feed like that, entertain everyone and clean up. Nice job.

  34. 34.

    MazeDancer

    July 18, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    What a splendid gathering. So sweet to see happy people enjoying the considerable efforts it took for such a swell event. Nice Real Life in the midst of all the crazy going on.

    And, have to agree, excellent fence as well. Makes the yard. And the atmosphere.

  35. 35.

    Poopyman

    July 18, 2011 at 4:28 pm

    So since I grew up about 2 miles from Bethel Park Bakery, and I have to be up there this weekend for a reunion, I’m checking out their website for cakes.

    So did the birthday boy get a “Carebear” cake, or maybe the one with “Wizard of Oz” figurines? Maybe the Pittsburgh Pirates cake?

    Also too, “She’s fully recovered and knocking back a Yuengling. Medicare made that possible:” strikes me as a non sequitur.

  36. 36.

    rikryah

    July 18, 2011 at 4:37 pm

    that is one good looking spread.

    damn. made me hungry

  37. 37.

    daw

    July 18, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    Oh man, I so want to come to your next party.

  38. 38.

    Scott Supak

    July 18, 2011 at 4:50 pm

    Wait, how do I get Medicare to pay for my Yuengling?

  39. 39.

    asiangrrlMN

    July 18, 2011 at 5:02 pm

    Nom nom nom. That looks awesome, Cole. You are a prince. Hope Papa Cole had a wonderful time.

  40. 40.

    Thoughtful Black Co-Citizen

    July 18, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    I guess your dogs (and visiting dogs) behaved themselves didn’t help themselves to the food? What about Tunch?

    Tunch ate the dogs.

  41. 41.

    slag

    July 18, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    Fence looks good! As does the food. But red plastic cups? Is your dad having a birthday or pledging?

  42. 42.

    Trollenschlongen

    July 18, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    John, the party looks wonderful and very tasty.

    I’m wondering about the cheesecake: what is all that glorious wonderfulness piled up on top of it? It looks too damn good to eat, but I would anyway.

  43. 43.

    emjayay

    July 18, 2011 at 6:16 pm

    Lovely. And each and every guest gets their own personal unique style chair.

  44. 44.

    WaterGirl

    July 18, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    Cole, I love you for mentioning that your neighbor is alive and able to hang out at a nice party, only because she has access to Medicare. (Even if some would criticize your sentence structure.) As asiangrrl said, you are a prince.

  45. 45.

    harlana

    July 18, 2011 at 6:39 pm

    Awww, what a wonderful thing to do for your dad (and family)! Awesome spread. You’re a good son, Mr. Cole!

  46. 46.

    DaveinME

    July 18, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    John, from the looks of it you make for one hell of a good person and neighbor. Well done!!

  47. 47.

    JR

    July 18, 2011 at 6:53 pm

    I’m not entirely convinced that “John Cole” isn’t just a very long-running Turing test.

  48. 48.

    metalgirl

    July 18, 2011 at 7:11 pm

    Wow – what a feast! Well done and I’m sure all your guests appreciated it as well as the birthday boy! Additionally, there appear to be no injuries or animal mishaps (although, if there were, we expect you to report them pronto)! Kick back this week — you’ve earned it.

  49. 49.

    Arclite

    July 18, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    You got the cakes from the Bethel Park Bakery? Isn’t that more than an hour away ONE WAY?

  50. 50.

    burnspbesq

    July 18, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    With a title like “Scenes from the Debacle,” I expected to see a picture of Carli Lloyd’s PK. Has that ball come down yet, or did it achieve escape velocity and go into orbit around the Earth?

  51. 51.

    Corner Stone

    July 18, 2011 at 7:53 pm

    @JR:

    I’m not entirely convinced that “John Cole” isn’t just a very long-running Turing test.

    C’mon. I’ve been banging this drum for two years now.
    It’s fucking fascinating. At least to me, anyway.

  52. 52.

    JPL

    July 18, 2011 at 8:47 pm

    John, Your father must have been so proud. Good job.

  53. 53.

    Garbo

    July 18, 2011 at 9:20 pm

    You’re a good man, Charlie Brown. But you must be exhausted. Load of work, hope it was a load of fun.

Comments are closed.

Primary Sidebar

Fundraising 2023-24

Wis*Dems Supreme Court + SD-8

Recent Comments

  • frosty fred on Medium Cool – Agatha Christie & Dorothy Sayers, Part III (Mar 26, 2023 @ 11:34pm)
  • Annie on Medium Cool – Agatha Christie & Dorothy Sayers, Part III (Mar 26, 2023 @ 11:33pm)
  • ...now I try to be amused on Sunday Evening Open Thread: The GOP, Now A Full-Scale Mafia (Mar 26, 2023 @ 11:28pm)
  • kalakal on Medium Cool – Agatha Christie & Dorothy Sayers, Part III (Mar 26, 2023 @ 11:28pm)
  • Steeplejack on Medium Cool – Agatha Christie & Dorothy Sayers, Part III (Mar 26, 2023 @ 11:25pm)

🎈Keep Balloon Juice Ad Free

Become a Balloon Juice Patreon
Donate with Venmo, Zelle or PayPal

Balloon Juice Posts

View by Topic
View by Author
View by Month & Year
View by Past Author

Featuring

Medium Cool
Artists in Our Midst
Authors in Our Midst
We All Need A Little Kindness
Classified Documents: A Primer
State & Local Elections Discussion

Calling All Jackals

Site Feedback
Nominate a Rotating Tag
Submit Photos to On the Road
Balloon Juice Mailing List Signup
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Links)
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Posts)

Twitter / Spoutible

Balloon Juice (Spoutible)
WaterGirl (Spoutible)
TaMara (Spoutible)
John Cole
DougJ (aka NYT Pitchbot)
Betty Cracker
Tom Levenson
TaMara
David Anderson
Major Major Major Major
ActualCitizensUnited

Join the Fight!

Join the Fight Signup Form
All Join the Fight Posts

Balloon Juice Events

5/14  The Apocalypse
5/20  Home Away from Home
5/29  We’re Back, Baby
7/21  Merging!

Balloon Juice for Ukraine

Donate

Site Footer

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Comment Policy
  • Our Authors
  • Blogroll
  • Our Artists
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 Dev Balloon Juice · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!