Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

There are a lot more evil idiots than evil geniuses.

I’d try pessimism, but it probably wouldn’t work.

She burned that motherfucker down, and I am so here for it. Thank you, Caroline Kennedy.

Republicans: “Abortion is murder but you can take a bus to get one.” Easy peasy.

The real work of an opposition party is to hold the people in power accountable.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. keep building.

Peak wingnut was a lie.

Let the trolls come, and then ignore them. that’s the worst thing you can do to a troll.

Second rate reporter says what?

I really should read my own blog.

A norm that restrains only one side really is not a norm – it’s a trap.

Welcome to day five of every-bit-as-bad-as-you-thought-it-would-be.

Sadly, media malpractice has become standard practice.

The revolution will be supervised.

Michigan is a great lesson for Dems everywhere: when you have power…use it!

Every one of the “Roberts Six” lied to get on the court.

Our messy unity will be our strength.

If you tweet it in all caps, that makes it true!

We are aware of all internet traditions.

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

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

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

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

Usually wrong but never in doubt

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75Comments

  1. 1.

    J. Michael Neal

    Gophers and Badgers, oh my!

    Ready to see if Minnesota can follow up on yesterday’s win and stay perfect on the season.

  3. 3.

    Chris

    I love Laura Cantrell. Also, if you are talking Big 10, lett’s get some love for the Indiana Hoosiers, demolishing UNC in both basketball and soccer on the way to #1 in bb and final four in soccer

  4. 4.

    MikeJake

    A couple years back, it looked like 2 minute long death metal songs was going to become a thing, but it seemed to sputter out. Which is too bad, because I appreciate music that gets to the point.

  5. 5.

    Anya

    Apparently, POTUS is golfing with Bubba, Terry McAuliffe and Ron Kirk, US Sec. of Trade. So, does that mean McAuliffe is VA’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate?

  6. 6.

    Raven

    Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
    The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
    And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
    But there is no joy in Mudville – mighty Casey has struck out.

  7. 7.

    lamh35

    Good morning guys. Sorry this is so long, I just wanted to update ya’ll on some big and great news I’ve just got to share. I’m breaking this up into 2 comments so that it’s not too long.

    So I’ve had the most life-changing ½ year, month, week, 4 day, whatever I’ve ever had since well Hurricane Katrina I guess. My mom had a heart attack in July. We moved her to NOLA in August, and since then, her health has been good, but it’s been up and down (tingling feet, 2 bouts of bronchitis, retaining too much fluid). She was officially diagnosed with congestive heart failure about 1 month ago and on the 10th of this month, she’s going to be going into the hospital to get a defibrillator implanted in her chest (think it’s called: Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator or ICD) because her heart’s beats per minute are not what they should be.

    Even before my mom’s health issues, I’d been contemplating moving back to the NOLA area and be closer to my extended family. With my mom’s subsequent move to NOLA, I went from contemplation to certainty I had been sporadically looking for work in my field in NOLA, but since her illness, I’d been actively looking. I’ve applied to at least 2 or 3 Microbiology jobs in the city itself, but I either heard nothing back from the companies, or I heard back from a recruiter, but I didn’t really like what I heard. I fully expected that I was going to have to apply for jobs outside my lab specialty which would mean less money for sure and having to learn a completely new set of skills that I haven’t utilized since Med Tech School. But early last month I applied for a job in Microbiology at a private hospital in Baton Rouge. I heard back directly from the Microbiology supervisor (which is unusual) rep first) and had a really nice prelim conversation with her on the phone and she seemed extremely impressed with my credentials and experience over the phone and next she scheduled an interview for this past Friday.

  9. 9.

    lamh35

    @lamh35:

    Anyway, to shorten the story a bit, I went to the interview it lasted 2 hours. I interviewed with the Microbiology Supervisor and her Asst Supervisor. I had a “peer to peer” interview with 2 of the techs who work in the Micro lab and I also had a meeting with the HR Recruiter. It went really well. It didn’t really feel like an interview, it felt like I had already had the job and was just meeting my new co-workers. The whole interview experience made me feel like I could def see myself working there.

    The biggest issue I had with moving back to NOLA/BR as always been the pay rate. I make a really good amount in DFW and from what I’d heard was that the pay back home just wasn’t what I had been used to making in DFW. Part of the interview involving the HR rep involved a detailed discussion of salary, which I thanked the recruiter for, since I’ve never had any possible employer broach the subject on their own, I was actually a little conflicted on when is the best time to ask about pay. Well guess what? The pay range that was quoted to me was less than I make now, but not really as much as I thought, so I was very encouraged by what I’d heard and as I said, I was very confident that the interview went well. I thanked the recruiter and the Micro Supervisor for letting me interview and whether or not I get the job, I really did enjoy the whole interview process.

    2 hours later, while I was on the road driving on my way back to NOLA with my mom and sister, the recruiter called me and offered me the job. The offer included the pay rate and the pay rate quoted was only $0.15 less than what I make currently!!! I asked the recruiter if it was okay for me to get back to her by tomorrow with my decision since I was returning to DFW the next day. So it looks like I am moving back home to NOLA, well Baton Rouge! It only took 8 years after Katrina, but I’m going to finally be back with my fam. It’s bittersweet because I’ve met some really great people and I think I’ve made some lifelong friendship here in DFW, but with my mom’s illness and all my family being in one place, it’s the best thing for me. Besides, Baton Rouge is far enough away from NOLA that it gives me breathing room when I need to be alone and unreachable from my large, loud, obnoxious, loving, close-knit extended family.

    So now I have to start the relocation process. I know where I should begin, but I still not sure where to actually start. So any words of wisdom and experience you got would be greatly appreciated. The last relocation I did was actually an evacuation and as you can guess it’s a lot different to evacuate and never return and to actually voluntary relocate.

  11. 11.

    ruemara

    @lamh35: Congratulations! Best of health to momma, tell her no beignets and I expect to hear more about the position, possible pet pics and hosting the next BJ Mardi Gras meetup.

    Edited to reflect my plan is to finish this here article for my newsletter gig, maybe try to draw a christmas card and walk to my library to return some books and prevent books from coming back with me.

  13. 13.

    Origuy

    @lamh35: Great news, congratulations! Did they offer any relocation assistance? You can’t always get cash, but they might have some referrals to agencies.

  14. 14.

    SuperHrefna

    @lamh35: Congratulations! Moving is never easy, but doing a voluntary relocation will be massively less traumatic than leaving in a hurry, the new job sounds fab & I’m sure you will find it easier to be near your mother as she struggles with her health than if you were far away. From one internet stranger to another, it’s nice to hear of someone’s life coming together so well.

  16. 16.

    Alison

    @lamh35: Congrats on the job! That’s great that you found something in your field at a good pay rate, so there’s no feeling of like, ehhhh do I want this, is it worth it, etc. I hope the relocation goes smoothly – I don’t really have any advice to offer other than making a list of what’s in every box. TRUST. Just putting “bedroom” or whatever means digging the fuck through multiple boxes looking for something, if you;re like me and take weeks to unpack, LOL :)

  17. 17.

    Citizen_X

    @lamh35: Yay! Congratulations!

    The only suggestion I have for moving (which I hate) is don’t try to do it yourself. Pony up the money and pay for the damn moving guys. It’s not really that much, and while you’ll still have to organize, pack, and unpack, those guys will do all the hard work, and get it done quickly. It takes a lot of the stress out.

    My 2 cents.

  20. 20.

    lamh35

    @Origuy: my mom and my sister came with me to Baton Rouge for the interview and the one thing my mom made sure I was to remember to ask was about relocation assistance.

    The recruiter said that they used to offer some sort of assistance, but that they do so now only for upper management positions. But she did make sure that my start date could be either the middle of next month or the end (my choice, I still haven’t decided) so that gives me at least 6 weeks to a little short of a full 2 months before I have to report to work. That gives me more time to relocate and plan.

    Luckily since I’ve been contemplating relocating anyway, I haven’t really accumulated anything that I wasn’t planning on leaving behind anyway. I’ve even been putting off getting new furniture because I didn’t want to have to move all this stuff if/when I leave. So other than my flat screen tv and clothes and kitchen appliances and dishware (all of which could fit in my SUV) I don’t really have anything left to move that I wasn’t already planning on giving away to friends or Goodwill anyway.

  22. 22.

    schrodinger's cat

    @Citizen_X: Yes, at the very least pay for moving guys to load and unload the truck, even if you are driving it yourself. Your back will thank you!

  24. 24.

    Linda Featheringill

    @lamh35:

    Relocating:

    I can only tell you that it will cost more than you thought it would and will require more work than you thought it would. And even if you are moving towards something good, it will be stressful.

    Maybe you can schedule breaks for yourself where you can just stare into space for a few hours. Maybe you can schedule rest/nap times. Stuff like that.

    And whatever you have to leave behind, you can probably live without.

    Good luck. :-)

  25. 25.

    Mnemosyne

    I survived an entire day at Disneyland with a 5-year-old, an 8-year-old and a 13-year-old. Luckily, we had a 1-to-1 ratio of adults to kids, which always makes it easier to keep everyone rounded up.

    My bad knee is not happy with me right now, but it should be fine by tomorrow. It threatened rain all day but never actually got around to it. My friend had her pedometer on and we’d taken something like 15,000 steps by 5:00 pm (started our day at 9:30 am).

  29. 29.

    lamh35

    @Linda Featheringill: yeah, my current schedule is 7 on and 7 off. so the good thing is that I have every other week to drive to BR and look for apartment, then to move things bit by bit until the day I turn over my keys to my current apartment and drive away from DFW if not forever, then for the foreseeable future.

    the most stressful part right now is deciding when to turn in my resignation. I’d like to give my job a full month since due to my schedule I only really work 2 full weeks a month and because my current team job is really a good group of people.

    The other stressful part is the fact that I still have like 7 months left on my current apartment lease. So I’ll have to “break my lease” when I move. And the leasing contract says if you move out early you have to fulfill the entire term of the leasing contract! I don’t have that kinda of money, so I’m hoping for some sort of first and last month settlement payment.

  35. 35.

    Yutsano

    @lamh35: I declare this TOTAL FRABJOUSNESS!! Hopefully this means Piyush is starting to get his shit together although he did reject both the Medicaid expansion and the state-run exchange. Which is fine by me.

  36. 36.

    WaterGirl

    @lamh35: That’s all super great news about the job and the move. So happy for you!

    No particular advice to give, just want to say that it won’t be a big surprise if moving back stirs up some unfinished business about Katrina and the move away from NOLA in the first place. Getting a good job and moving back home to family might just make you feel safe enough for stuff to bubble up. Just take care of yourself.

    Congratulations again!

  37. 37.

    Elizabelle

    @lamh35:

    Seven months would get some student through a full semester, even with you picking up a share of the rent, if need be. Would work for an employee on a short-term project too.

    Would that work for you?

    (FWIW, my nephew just got a great deal on a winter semester apartment in Virginia; guy who rented it had to pull out of school for health reasons for a spell, so nephew is paying about half the going rate while the lease runs out.)

    Could you arrange something like that with your management company? Maybe if you find them a good sub-tenant?

  39. 39.

    Yutsano

    @lamh35: You simply clear it with the landlord and put an ad on Craigslist. The landlord and the subletter sign a new lease and you move on. It’s not too difficult as long as you protect yourself in case the new tenant is a flake.

  40. 40.

    Raven

    @lamh35: Put it in the classifieds in the paper. Check your lease to see if it’s allowed or check with your landlord. You might be able to cut some kind of deal with folks that are looking for a longer term but would like a deal. Can’t hurt.

    Here’s the Huston craiglist sublease section.

    http://houston.craigslist.org/sub/

  43. 43.

    Ted & Hellen

    @lamh35:

    .being able to watch Love Actually all the time

    Speaking of LOVE ACTUALLY, am I the only American who adores and treasures and loves Keira Knightley?

    Something about her melts my heart every time.

  44. 44.

    Cassidy

    am I the only American who adores and treasures and loves Keira Knightley?

    Is that the victim target of your next flea market piece of shit?

  45. 45.

    PsiFighter37

    Just got back from a GOS meetup. A good time had by all in LES, and I am 4 deep on the beers. Yee-freakin’-haw.

    And it seems like Sanchez is out of the game. A good sign?

    PF37 +4

  50. 50.

    lamh35

    @Ted & Hellen: I kinda love Keira Knightley too, but I like her way better in her “Bend It Like Beckham” phase. Right now, I’m kinda distracted by her skinniness (sp?). Her cheek and collar bone look like they could cut ice. Still I like her.

  52. 52.

    sylvan

    @Patricia Kayden:

    I’ve worked on and off with the Salvation Army over the years, serving meals and such.

    A big part of their world view is that Satan is a very real and active player in current events.

    Still, they’re mostly harmless and generally beneficial.

  57. 57.

    Haydnseek

    salvation army
    for conduct unbecoming
    aids clinic stockade

    FYWP! Spacing is important. Let me do it. If there’s a way to do this that I’m unaware of, please let me in on it!

  59. 59.

    Ted & Hellen

    @lamh35:

    Her cheek and collar bone look like they could cut ice. Still I like her.

    “Bend It…” is when I first fell in love with her. And I agree: She needs to eat a sandwich or seven. That said, she looks a tad less bony in “Anna Karenina” which I saw Friday, and she looks magnificent in those costumes.

    But more than any of that, I think she possesses some inner quality that connects with something in me beyond easy description. I think that’s true for most entertainer/fan relationships. Who knows why?

    I like to read comments on IMDB though, and it seems lots of people despise her…fools! :D

  61. 61.

    gogol's wife

    @Ted & Hellen:

    I don’t despise her, but she’s all wrong for Anna Karenina, who’s supposed to be zaftig, with dark, curly hair, and with a warm, radiant expression. I don’t think KK’s expression could be described as warm, especially in the stills I’ve seen from AK. She looks haughty and cruel. Maybe that was the director’s conception of the character.

  62. 62.

    gogol's wife

    @Ted & Hellen:

    Strangely enough I’m reading this while taking a break in re-reading AK for the thousandth time so I can teach it yet again. I can’t seem to teach without re-reading.

  63. 63.

    Ted & Hellen

    @gogol’s wife:

    I actually agree about the casting. She should have played AK in another ten years. And Aaron Taylor Johnson, who plays Vronsky, is even less suited for that role. But the movie is well worth seeing for the novelty and beauty of the sets and the director’s staging choices. It is mostly shot as set in a large old Imperial era theatre/stage…but also behind/off/in front of/and outside the stage. Unique!

  67. 67.

    JoyfulA

    @Patricia Kayden: I quit when I learned the SA area committee had paid Gary Bauer a $6,000 speaker fee to address their management meeting. That isn’t where I want my money to go.

    I had been sending an annual check because they’d sent my Catholic husband to summer camp when he was a kid, even after his priest made a fuss and told SA not to.

  69. 69.

    gogol's wife

    @sylvan:

    It’s not exactly an “early Tolstoy novel.” He’d been publishing for twenty years by then, including a little number called War and Peace.

  73. 73.

    Ben Franklin

    Nothing more refreshing than the sight of children pulling the wings off flies.

    Ahhh….. the Christmas Spirit; how it abides.

  74. 74.

    Mnemosyne

    @lamh35:

    I agree with the subleasing advice — in theory, your landlord should prefer that option as well since s/he won’t have to worry about refurbishing, finding a new tenant, etc.

    G and I occasionally talk about moving closer to where our various parents live, but that would require us to live year-round in either Arizona (too frickin’ hot) or Illinois (too frickin’ cold), so we can’t quite get ourselves to do it.

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