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You are here: Home / Open Threads / 5 years and 3 days ago John gave me the keys

5 years and 3 days ago John gave me the keys

by Soonergrunt|  November 25, 201611:00 pm| 53 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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And I promptly crashed the blog into the ditch.

We’ve dug out the Christmas decorations and started tossing them around. We’ve got the garage door openers installed, and the new snow blower is really something. So far, we’ve had two <3-inch snow falls, so I may not get to really give a work out for a while. We do get lake effect snow here in Tooele. Last year one storm dropped four inches in Salt Lake City, and two feet in Tooele.  It’s jacked up when you’re hoping for that.  And of course, the more snow we get, the better the skiing will be up in the mountains. I’m looking forward to that, too.

We’ve got plans to replace the hideous carpet in the living room and the stairs and the common area upstairs. Hopefully in the spring. Daughter gets her braces off next week. She’s graduating in the spring, and we’re prodding her to decide where she wants to go for a family trip. I’m rooting for Yellowstone National Park, but it’s her trip.

So Donald J. Trump will be the President.  The dog has caught the car.  It will be interesting to see what he does with it.  I’ve already been approached by three co-workers about forming a union local.  I’ve been in contact with the union, and we’ll see what happens with that. I know a LOT of federal workers are concerned about our future. We’ll do what we can to operate in the new world, but quite a few people are polishing resumes.

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Previous Post: « Excellent Read: “How Trump Made Hate Intersectional”
Next Post: Early Morning Open Thread: Queen of the Useful Idiots »

Reader Interactions

53Comments

  1. 1.

    Mike in NC

    November 25, 2016 at 11:10 pm

    Ancient Chinese curse: “May you live in interesting times”. Heard it a lot in the Navy.

  2. 2.

    BGinCHI

    November 25, 2016 at 11:12 pm

    Good to hear from you, Sooner.

    How’s life in the winter playground slash Mormon mothership?

    At least there’s a Patagonia outlet in Sugarhouse.

  3. 3.

    SiubhanDuinne

    November 25, 2016 at 11:19 pm

    Good to see you, Soonergrunt. Thanks for the update.

    I heard a great interview feature today (on NPR’S Here and Now). It was taped last summer at Yellowstone, about the importance of keeping some places on earth reserved as “dark sky” areas with no light pollution. The young woman who was the “guide” was not an astronomer but was clearly passionate about keeping the sky protected from encroaching artificial light. I’m not good at remembering numbers, but I think she said that fully a third of people living today have never seen the Milky Way. She spoke of the sky as if it were a living, breathing entity.

  4. 4.

    Soonergrunt

    November 25, 2016 at 11:19 pm

    @BGinCHI: There’s also a couple off REI’s a couple of Columbia stores, and Backcountry.com has their warehouse and showroom here.
    And while the church may be headquartered in Salt Lake City, the Mothership is in Provo.

  5. 5.

    JPL

    November 25, 2016 at 11:22 pm

    Amazing that the daughter is going to graduate in the spring. It seems just like yesterday. How’s the pup?

  6. 6.

    jame

    November 25, 2016 at 11:25 pm

    “interesting” is the word I keep using.
    It’s that or “doomed”, and the latter is so negative and a dead giveaway as to my personal political beliefs.

  7. 7.

    JPL

    November 25, 2016 at 11:29 pm

    Sooner, I don’t remember this part
    And I promptly crashed the blog into the ditch.
    I do remember the tornadoes and you helping out, though.

  8. 8.

    Soonergrunt

    November 25, 2016 at 11:30 pm

    @JPL: I accused a commenter of sock-puppeting based on my misunderstanding of the admin interface.

  9. 9.

    demz taters

    November 25, 2016 at 11:34 pm

    Those of us in federal agencies that study climate change are polishing a lot harder after this story: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/nov/22/nasa-earth-donald-trump-eliminate-climate-change-research.

  10. 10.

    Anne Laurie

    November 25, 2016 at 11:41 pm

    Happy slightly-belated bloggingversary, SG!

  11. 11.

    Dread

    November 25, 2016 at 11:51 pm

    Glad to see you here. Hope you’re doing better.

    I suppose the mildly good news is that everything shitty and awful and just fucking horrible that happens in the next four years is totally on the GOP. I just wish that I had the confidence that the Democrats would constantly remind the voters of that and that they can do better.

  12. 12.

    mattH

    November 25, 2016 at 11:51 pm

    Yeah, lake effect snow is horribly unpredictable. It can make it so you get slammed one storm, and almost totally passed over the next. Makes the Best Snow on Earth™ though. Good to see you posting again.

  13. 13.

    trollhattan

    November 25, 2016 at 11:53 pm

    @demz taters:
    Would basically be like the people of Jonestown cancelling the peanut butter order to double the cyanide supply. Guess that’s what we were doing on the 12th.

  14. 14.

    demz taters

    November 26, 2016 at 12:00 am

    @trollhattan: It’s like the people of Jonestown deciding it would be a good thing for the whole world to drink the kool-aid whether they want to or not. I wish that was hyperbole.

  15. 15.

    stinger

    November 26, 2016 at 12:02 am

    Happy blogversary! I always enjoy your posts. Sounds like you’re really settled in in your new digs.

  16. 16.

    Shalimar

    November 26, 2016 at 12:08 am

    The dog has caught the car. It will be interesting to see what he does with it.

    Strip it for parts and give them away to various Trump properties?

  17. 17.

    demz taters

    November 26, 2016 at 12:16 am

    @Shalimar: Pretty much the future for the American experiment.

  18. 18.

    Yutsano

    November 26, 2016 at 12:20 am

    We’ll do what we can to operate in the new world, but quite a few people are polishing resumes.

    I actually looked at a couple state jobs already, but not quite in full panic mode.

  19. 19.

    Hamletta

    November 26, 2016 at 12:22 am

    There are reports that Fidel Castro has died. Producer for Morning Joe says Cuban state media reported.

  20. 20.

    Gretchen

    November 26, 2016 at 12:23 am

    I don’t remember any crashes either. I’ve really enjoyed your contributions, and missed you when you were taking a break. I’m glad you’re back, and hope things are going well for you.

  21. 21.

    magurakurin

    November 26, 2016 at 12:29 am

    @Soonergrunt: bygones. Glad to see you. You commentary was and is always informative and welcomed.

  22. 22.

    Mary G

    November 26, 2016 at 12:29 am

    Always glad to see a post from you, Sooner. Congrats to SoonerDaughter on her graduation.

  23. 23.

    demz taters

    November 26, 2016 at 12:37 am

    @Yutsano: Yeah I know the feeling. I’m in an agency that’s going to get cut to the bone, but I’m also one of their MVPs. Whether that translates into job security or kick-ass references, I don’t know yet, but I’m awfully uneasy about the future.

  24. 24.

    Brachiator

    November 26, 2016 at 12:40 am

    From the BBC, but no other new site so far.

    Fidel Castro, Cuba’s former president and leader of the Communist revolution, has died aged 90, state TV has announced.

    It provided no further details.

    Fidel Castro ruled Cuba as a one-party state for almost half a century before handing over the powers to his brother Raul in 2008.

    His supporters praised him as a man who had given Cuba back to the people. But his opponents accused him of brutally suppressing opposition.

  25. 25.

    GrandJury

    November 26, 2016 at 12:48 am

    @Brachiator: Dr. Orange will probably try take credit.

  26. 26.

    Yutsano

    November 26, 2016 at 12:49 am

    Farewell Fidel.

    Okay that’s just weird…

  27. 27.

    Calouste

    November 26, 2016 at 12:52 am

    @GrandJury: Cuba is now probably at the front of the line for Don and Mike’s Excellent Adventures.

  28. 28.

    Amir Khalid

    November 26, 2016 at 12:52 am

    @Brachiator:
    The Beeb is quoting Cuban state news media, so it’s probably accurate. Don’t forget to watch out for the Republican celebration of president-elect Donald’s mystical Commie-killing powers which magically laid waste to a sickly 90-year-old living in a foreign country.

  29. 29.

    BBA

    November 26, 2016 at 12:52 am

    @GrandJury: We will see the US break off diplomatic relations with Cuba, less than two years after they were reestablished, unless they agree to permanently grant exclusive casino development rights to Trump Resorts (in a blind trust, outside the president’s control, we swear).

    Note that the statutory embargo on Cuba cannot be lifted while either of the Castro brothers are still in power, and Raul still has two years left until he’s supposed to retire.

  30. 30.

    frosty

    November 26, 2016 at 12:54 am

    @mattH: lake effect snow sounds like our nor’easters that come spinning up the coast. Depending on the track we either get off easy or we have to dig out of 2 feet of snow.

  31. 31.

    Yutsano

    November 26, 2016 at 12:54 am

    @Brachiator:

  32. 32.

    Pete Downunder

    November 26, 2016 at 12:56 am

    Australia’s ABC also reporting death of Fidel

  33. 33.

    Hamletta

    November 26, 2016 at 12:58 am

    Party in Miami, y’all!

  34. 34.

    Mike J

    November 26, 2016 at 1:00 am

    Hurrah I’m at home. Mom still in the hospital, but look like she gets out tomorrow. To recap: day after election, aortic valve replacement + dual cabbage. Stayed in hospital a week and got better every day. Sent home and got worse every day. Was re-admitted day before Thanksgiving[1] . Echo-cardiogram done on t-day, showed a pericardial effusion. Since they had her on blood thinners, they put off pericardiocentesis[2] until today. After a vitamin k drip, procedure was done. Afterwards she was awake and actually ate food for the first time in a week. The plan now is a follow up echo in the AM and then discharge.So yeah!

    Funny story[3]. While she was in for the procedure today, hospital housekeeping came by. Wanted to clean her room. Sure fine, perfect time, she’s not here, do it before she comes back. “Oh, she’s not coming back.” Track down nurse. She’s heard nothing (and is already pissed at doc (the first she heard that the procedure was a definite go was when the surgeon showed up in the room with a gurney)). Everything is fine. There’s no problem, she’s alive and is not going to CCU after, just a miscommunication with housekeeping.

    TLDR: mom fine, home tomorrow.

    [1] Trying to decide if turkey in my fridge will be cookable on Sunday or just toss it,.
    [2] Sticking a needle in the sac around the heart to drain the fluid in a process I am sure looks much like the adrenaline scene from Pulp Fiction, but the interventional cardiologist assures me is nothing like it.
    [3] For some values of funny.

  35. 35.

    satby

    November 26, 2016 at 1:09 am

    @Mike J: Good news, glad to hear it. You should probably get some rest!

  36. 36.

    SWMBO

    November 26, 2016 at 1:15 am

    @Mike J: It should be ok if it was refrigerated. Spathcock it like Adam’s and it should cook fine. Strip it off the bone as soon as possible and don’t leave it out on the table half a day. If you brine it before, that should help some (salt is a preservative).

    Glad to hear she is improving. Keep us posted.

    Take care of yourself during these times. Most folks drop the ball on self care when someone else’s needs are more paramount. She’s going to be ok and now you can make sure you’re doing ok too.

  37. 37.

    rikyrah

    November 26, 2016 at 1:25 am

    Hi SoonerG??

  38. 38.

    jenn

    November 26, 2016 at 1:27 am

    Hi Sooner, great to hear from you! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving – and yeah, some serious snowfall in the West would be really nice.

  39. 39.

    Brachiator

    November 26, 2016 at 1:28 am

    @Pete Downunder: 2016 is definitely doing some serious house cleaning.

    Fidel Castro had obviously ceded authority to his brother and others, but his passing still represents the end of an era.

    Has Trump put out a tweet yet?

  40. 40.

    Dog Dawg Damn

    November 26, 2016 at 1:29 am

    @efgoldman: “Appreciate the Congrats. Yes, I’m just like Ronald Raygun. Kill Communists just by the power of my huge temperament.”

  41. 41.

    Brachiator

    November 26, 2016 at 1:37 am

    @Mike J: Good to read that your mom is doing OK.

    What’s dual cabbage?

  42. 42.

    Mike J

    November 26, 2016 at 1:40 am

    @Brachiator: Coronary artery bypass graft.

  43. 43.

    trollhattan

    November 26, 2016 at 1:40 am

    Fidel es muerte? I blame Eisenhower,Kennedy,Johnson[fvckhim],Nixon,Ford,Carter,Reagan,Bush,Clinton,Bush,ObamaTrump.

  44. 44.

    Mike J

    November 26, 2016 at 1:41 am

    SwiftOnChristmas ‏@SwiftOnSecurity 35 minutes ago
    Castro’s job was done after he finally got to see Russia destroy America

  45. 45.

    mattH

    November 26, 2016 at 1:45 am

    @frosty: The closest similar effect is what the Great Lakes do, but because of the salinity of the Great Salt Lake less water usually makes it’s way into the air, making for drier snow. The Wikipedia article does a pretty good job of explaining the concept, but the result is essentially localized areas of higher snow. I’ve seen situations where you can be driving down the Wasatch Front and see a few inches, then suddenly run into the high impact zones where it’s literally feet of snow, traffic crawls to a stop for a few miles, followed by sometimes even less snow than before.

  46. 46.

    opiejeanne

    November 26, 2016 at 3:57 am

    @Mike J: Oh Mike, I had no idea but I’m glad to hear she’s doing better. I tried to ask if you had plans for Turkey day and if you’d like to join us, but never did get your attention and maybe it’s just as well since you had your hands so full.
    On Wednesday morning I went to the Emergency room at Evergreen in Kirkland and that evening they removed my appendix. I came home on Thursday morning, our kids and their SOs showed up and cooked everything, and it was wonderful.
    I’m fine but very sore so I’m moving pretty slowly right now.

  47. 47.

    Skippy-san

    November 26, 2016 at 3:59 am

    I understand completely about the coming “brain drain” from the Federal Government. Trump has made no secret of his desire to politicize the civil service, and the WP had an article of how they intend to fuck people out of retirement and health insurance. I think it will be harder than he realizes, but I can see the return of loyalty oaths and public repression quite easily.

    When step increases are done away with and they can’t pay decent salaries the stampede to the exits will be huge.

  48. 48.

    demz taters

    November 26, 2016 at 4:17 am

    @Skippy-san: I’m so paranoid about my charities of choice for the Combined Federal Campaign (Planned Parenthood, ACLU). These are uneasy times for govt employees.

  49. 49.

    Skippy-san

    November 26, 2016 at 6:03 am

    @demz taters: I think it will get even worse. They will demand access to your Twitter accounts, and FB whenever they investigate you, which many people do every 5 years. In my office it is no secret that I was a Hillary voter and that I utterly loathe and despise Trump. I feel I have the right to feel this way, and I fear a lot of others don’t care about my rights.

    The changes they are proposing to the Civil Service are serious and dangerously fucked up, and yes, I am confident they will drop good charities from CFC because they are not “approved” especially if a religious shitbag like Pence has anything to say about it.

  50. 50.

    Duane

    November 26, 2016 at 6:10 am

    I worked at Missouri State University, and they eliminated step raises on a whim. Our union was so weak we didn’t even have a vote.
    Administration kept getting hefty raises,so there you go.

  51. 51.

    swiftfox

    November 26, 2016 at 7:15 am

    Spent 1993-1999 at DPG; lived in Tooele for 3 years. Never had a knock at the door from the mothership. Probably because of the heavy military influence. It was a rough time economically for the town with the army depot closing and threat of BRAC. At the time the town was known for having the worst teen pregnancy rate in the state. I understand since then it has had the expected amount of development. Only weather problem was the summer inversion that trapped the smoke from cheatgrass fires for 3 weeks – sinuses were clogged the whole time.

  52. 52.

    J R in WV

    November 26, 2016 at 11:15 am

    @Soonergrunt:

    Soonergrunt: “accused a commenter of sock-puppeting based on my misunderstanding”…

    While that is a faux pas, you did only run it into the ditch, from where it was merely pushed, needing no actual repairs. Fixed with an apology, actually.

    Good to see you again, don’t be a stranger. Glad to hear your daughter is about to graduate, you didn’t say, but surely High School… hoping time doesn’t pass that fast yet!

    Best wishes from WV>!

  53. 53.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    November 26, 2016 at 12:02 pm

    It’s damned good to see you posting Soonergrunt. Your voice is missed. Happy holidays to you and yours.

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