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Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The republican speaker is a slippery little devil.

There are no moderate republicans – only extremists and cowards.

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

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

It’s all just conspiracy shit beamed down from the mothership.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires republicans to act in good faith.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

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

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires Republicans to act in good faith.

Good lord, these people are nuts.

Republicans firmly believe having an abortion is a very personal, very private decision between a woman and J.D. Vance.

Giving in to doom is how we fail to fight for ourselves & one another.

Trump should be leading, not lying.

Washington Post Catch and Kill, not noticeably better than the Enquirer’s.

When you’re a Republican, they let you do it.

Republicans do not trust women.

T R E 4 5 O N

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

The low info voters probably won’t even notice or remember by their next lap around the goldfish bowl.

Compromise? There is no middle ground between a firefighter and an arsonist.

Republicans want to make it harder to vote and easier for them to cheat.

“But what about the lurkers?”

They fucked up the fucking up of the fuckup!

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You are here: Home / Open Threads / New Years Eve Open Thread

New Years Eve Open Thread

by John Cole|  December 31, 20179:30 pm| 146 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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Been a busy two days. Tammy and Brian are here so we have six dogs and it has just been a handful.

I just wanted to pop in and wish you all a Happy New Year and thank you all for hanging around at this rundown popsicle joint. This place would suck without you all.

Happy New Year.

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Previous Post: « Russiagate Open Thread: New Years Eve, the Introvert’s Nightmare
Next Post: Floriduh Man!, Floriduh Woman!, And Floriduh Toddler! Send 2017 Out With A Bang Or A Whimper »

Reader Interactions

146Comments

  1. 1.

    mattH

    December 31, 2017 at 9:32 pm

    Thanks JC. Hope it’s a good one for you.

  2. 2.

    Lyrebird

    December 31, 2017 at 9:32 pm

    Thanks for the popsicles and the abundance of taglines!
    ETA: yes that is one of my attempts at humor! pun-free this time.

    Best wishes for an excellent start to your new year!

  3. 3.

    Bruuuuce

    December 31, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    Thanks for all the house and doggo pics. May they and you be happy and have a great new year! (::ducks the wrath of the unmentioned Steve::)

  4. 4.

    WaterGirl

    December 31, 2017 at 9:36 pm

    Love you, too, Cole! And all the jackals.

  5. 5.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 31, 2017 at 9:36 pm

    Thanks for the popsicles, John. Happy New Year out there in West(by God) Virginia.

  6. 6.

    Viva BrisVegas

    December 31, 2017 at 9:37 pm

    Happy New Year to all.

    It’s been 2018 for half a day and already 2018 feels just like 2017.

    It’s too hot to go out in the sun and the humidity is somewhere around 800%. I’ve cranked the aircon to full and damn global warming, let the Millennials deal with it. I’ll be long gone before I get my beach frontage.

  7. 7.

    hellslittlestangel

    December 31, 2017 at 9:38 pm

    Happy New Year* to John, and everyone else at Balloon Juice!

    *You never know, it could be.

  8. 8.

    Sab

    December 31, 2017 at 9:38 pm

    Happy New Year to you too.

    My sick dog went to the animal hospital again and she doesn’t have noticeable tumors, so that’s good. She still won’t eat, so they gave me this special canned urgent care dog food. Kind of like liver wurst with no seasoning. Also a bunch of syringes. So I gently load the syringe with dog food, sneak up on the dog, shoot it into her mouth, then go back and laboriously reload. The first few times she was outraged. About halfway through the can she started to look expectant. Hopefully she will survive the weekend. I would really like for her to start eating again, because it’s really a pain to feed a St Bernard via tiny syringe.

  9. 9.

    Tilda Swintons Bald Cap

    December 31, 2017 at 9:40 pm

    Happy New Year to all of you.

  10. 10.

    cain

    December 31, 2017 at 9:42 pm

    Strange, I could have sworn on twitter you told us all not to be assholes. ;)

  11. 11.

    WaterGirl

    December 31, 2017 at 9:42 pm

    I am watching the Last Tango In Halifax Christmas special, which I recorded earlier this month and saved for tonight. It’s nice to see everyone again.

  12. 12.

    WaterGirl

    December 31, 2017 at 9:44 pm

    @Sab: Best of luck to you. Sometimes if you can get them eating something, they remember that they want to eat.

  13. 13.

    SiubhanDuinne

    December 31, 2017 at 9:44 pm

    John, thank you for this place. You did a good thing when you created Balloon Juice. I hope 2018 is good to you, your family* and friends, and the entire unruly pack of BJ jackals.

    * “Family” obviously includes Lily, Yuki, Rosie, Thurston, and Steve, as well as your parents and siblings.

  14. 14.

    Mike J

    December 31, 2017 at 9:46 pm

    Maybe this year will be better than the last

  15. 15.

    Denali

    December 31, 2017 at 9:46 pm

    Here’s hoping that 2018 will be better than its predecessor. Thank you JC and all the Jackals for making 2017 bearable!

  16. 16.

    Svensker

    December 31, 2017 at 9:47 pm

    Thanks for being such a great host, John. Here’s to a New Year that doesn’t suck (although I doubt it). Something something make the best of it something something. You and the animals help.

  17. 17.

    Sab

    December 31, 2017 at 9:48 pm

    @WaterGirl: Yeah. I am thinking two weeks of barfing has left her throat pretty raw. She seems hungry but she won’t eat. Went from 80 pounds to 55 pounds, and she wasn’t a plump dog to begin with. She does seem to be better with the tiny syringes full of whatever, if I can only keep them coming. It’s a pain to load those things.

  18. 18.

    Lyrebird

    December 31, 2017 at 9:52 pm

    @Sab: Sending lots of good thoughts to you and the pup as you turn yourself into a human hummingbird in reverse or something like that.

  19. 19.

    Olivia

    December 31, 2017 at 9:54 pm

    Happy New Year everyone! Thank you John Cole for sharing and even exposing so much of your life that is none of my business but I love it anyway. I really love the house and animal posts and pics. Thank you Betty Cracker for your wonderful wit and intelligence and photos and Annie Laurie for all your posts that clarify so much for me. To all y’all who contribute, comment and complain, thank you all for being here and keeping me from total despair.

  20. 20.

    Mary G

    December 31, 2017 at 9:56 pm

    Happy New Year, JGC, and thanks for all the fish.

  21. 21.

    Sab

    December 31, 2017 at 9:56 pm

    @Lyrebird: Thank you, although I am not quite sure what you mean. Birds feeding baby birds, and especially birds feeding big baby birds?

  22. 22.

    Baud

    December 31, 2017 at 9:58 pm

    Six dogs sounds amazing. . . . and tiring.

    Happy New Year to the jackelariat.

  23. 23.

    WaterGirl

    December 31, 2017 at 9:59 pm

    Call me crazy, but I am thinking that one way or another the illegitimate President will be gone before this day in 2018. In the meantime, we all need to get in fighting shape because we’re gonna need that with what’s ahead of us.

  24. 24.

    Schlemazel

    December 31, 2017 at 10:00 pm

    And Happy New Year to our friends in Rio and Nuuk

  25. 25.

    eclare

    December 31, 2017 at 10:00 pm

    @Sab: Thank you for the update, I have been wondering. So good to hear that there is some food your dog likes. Thinking good thoughts.

  26. 26.

    WaterGirl

    December 31, 2017 at 10:01 pm

    @Baud: We used to have 5 dogs between us when I would visit my sister’s. It was a full house, but it wasn’t as crazy as you might think.

    Do we know yet if Yuki is staying with Cole?

  27. 27.

    dance around in your bones

    December 31, 2017 at 10:02 pm

    Thank you for creating this home for us rabid jackals to play in and rip up the joint. You done good.

    Happy New Year one and all! ????

  28. 28.

    Sab

    December 31, 2017 at 10:03 pm

    Thank you John. Didn’t mean to hijack your thread. This website has meant a lot to me over the last decade or so, through personal trauma, bad elections and sick pets, there are always people here to listen and respond. I know it takes a lot of invisible work to keep this site running. Thank you John, Alain, all the front pagers and the behind the scenes people that keep this wonderful site running.

  29. 29.

    Patricia Kayden

    December 31, 2017 at 10:03 pm

    Awww. Thanks John. So sweet. Happy New Year to all!! ???

  30. 30.

    Mrs. D. Ranged in AZ

    December 31, 2017 at 10:03 pm

    Happy New Years to y’all!

  31. 31.

    The Moar You Know

    December 31, 2017 at 10:04 pm

    Thank you for everything, Mr. Cole.

  32. 32.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 31, 2017 at 10:06 pm

    @Baud: Happy New Year, young Baud.

  33. 33.

    mainmata

    December 31, 2017 at 10:06 pm

    Happy New Year to our great and community oriented host and members. 2017 has been an awful year not just because of the Trump/GOP catastrophe but also losing two members of my extended family within weeks of each other and a cat and a number of friends (to freakish events). I am hoping this awful year bounds back to something positive but good things require work not luck.

    Meanwhile, here in MD it is in the teens tempwise and our Shenandoah farm is 8 degrees so i can only imagine what it’s like in Colesville (oops that’s the name of a nearby street).

    Happy New Year All (and let’s work to make it definitely happier than the last!).

  34. 34.

    Omnes Omnibus

    December 31, 2017 at 10:07 pm

    Happy New Year!

  35. 35.

    Lyrebird

    December 31, 2017 at 10:07 pm

    @Sab:

    Birds feeding baby birds, and especially birds feeding big baby birds?

    Sorry so obscure. Birds taking in little doses of food on the wing over and over. In my line of work, hummingbirds are remarkable because their brain is so tiny but they show the ability to remember which little phlox bloom (say) they have sipped from already today, so they don’t waste precious calories flying back to it. Kindof a pain.

    The pains you are taking are not quite the same, but the flying around, hovering, fussing, and small doses of food per “meal” are in common.

    ETA: this is my nerdy and verbose way of saying “yay! the doggie is still hanging in there! you keep hanging in there!” pretty much

  36. 36.

    Omnes Omnibus

    December 31, 2017 at 10:09 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: Baud is ageless.

  37. 37.

    Mike in NC

    December 31, 2017 at 10:09 pm

    Happy New Year all. Still dreaming of New Year indictments!

  38. 38.

    HRA

    December 31, 2017 at 10:09 pm

    Happy New Year to you John, the Front Pagers, those who comment and the lurkers.

  39. 39.

    Yutsano

    December 31, 2017 at 10:09 pm

    Felice Anno Nuovo you filthy jackal herder!

  40. 40.

    Ridnik Chrome

    December 31, 2017 at 10:10 pm

    It’s too damned cold to go out tonight, even in my own neighborhood, so my New Year’s celebration will be a bottle of beer and John Coltrane’s version of “My Favorite Things” (a holiday tradition in the Chrome household) at midnight. Hope everyone here has a safe, happy and healthy 2018!

  41. 41.

    Sab

    December 31, 2017 at 10:11 pm

    @eclare: Thanks. I thought you might be wondering. Your advice about the vet school would be good but in Ohio we only have one vet school and that’s two and a half hours away, meaning a five hour round trip plus a consult. I didn’t think she’d survive it. So I took her for a second opinion at the local metro vet hospital. Hence the x-rays and liverwurst. Thanks for the nudge to get a second opinion.

  42. 42.

    SiubhanDuinne

    December 31, 2017 at 10:11 pm

    @dance around in your bones:

    It is wonderful to see you!

  43. 43.

    Dog Dawg Damn

    December 31, 2017 at 10:11 pm

    Husband and I got a deep dish Chicago style pizza and are watching movies and staying in. So nice. Happy NYE everyone. 2017 is over!!!

  44. 44.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 31, 2017 at 10:11 pm

    UCLA was down to UW by 8 at the half, won the game by 21; that must have one hell of a talk at halftime in the locker room.

  45. 45.

    eclare

    December 31, 2017 at 10:11 pm

    Happy New Year to everyone! And thank you to everyone for making this website such a wonderful place. My favorite Churchill quote: If you’re going through hell, keep going.

  46. 46.

    Mr Stagger Lee

    December 31, 2017 at 10:14 pm

    Happy New Year may 2018 bring blessings to you and yours. May the good and decent of us in this country prevail in this time of darkness.

  47. 47.

    eclare

    December 31, 2017 at 10:15 pm

    @Sab: I hope your dog gets better! Just the fact that your dog is eating is wonderful. Thank you so much for the update, you must have so many other things to do this time of year, not to mention take care of a sick dog.

  48. 48.

    HinTN

    December 31, 2017 at 10:16 pm

    @Ridnik Chrome:

    Coltrane’s version of “My Favorite Things”

    One of the best. Enjoy!

  49. 49.

    Joy in FL

    December 31, 2017 at 10:16 pm

    This year would have been even worse without the refuge of Balloon Juice.
    Thanks to all those who write front page pieces and who offer comments and insights, and who fund transport for pets and find homes for them.
    I really appreciate this “place” and wish all a good 2018.

  50. 50.

    Viva BrisVegas

    December 31, 2017 at 10:16 pm

    Are we allowed to say “Happy New Year”?

    Has Trump given everyone permission to do so, or should it be “Merry New Year”, or maybe “Merry post-Christmas”?

    Just don’t use the H word.

  51. 51.

    SgrAstar

    December 31, 2017 at 10:17 pm

    @Sab: worrying about your pup. My beloved giant lab would occasionally refuse to eat – sometimes because I had gone away for a few days, but finally, because he had bone cancer. I’m glad to know that your doggie has been cleared for tumors. Are you sure he hasn’t eaten a sock or something else that’s just sitting in his tummy?

  52. 52.

    James E. Powell

    December 31, 2017 at 10:18 pm

    Happy New Year, John Cole and thanks to you and (nearly) everyone here. You guys really help me maintain a semblance of sanity.

  53. 53.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 31, 2017 at 10:24 pm

    @Viva BrisVegas: What H word? Oh, Holi…

  54. 54.

    Ruckus

    December 31, 2017 at 10:25 pm

    @eclare:
    If you are in hell, how do you know which direction is out? And no, up is not a reasonable answer if you are that far down. I’ve been on ladders leading out of a fireroom, two 1200 degree boilers going, it’s 95-100 outside and the humidity is very close to 100%, it’s over 140 at the top of the ladder, you can burn your feet right through your shoes. Don’t even think of hanging on to the hand rails.

  55. 55.

    efgoldman

    December 31, 2017 at 10:25 pm

    Next year has to be better, doesn’t it?
    I was hospitalized three times, but I’m finally getting my dialysis and blood sugar under control. I am. however, getting fucking-A tired of rehabbing and PT.
    mrs efg’s 87 year old mother is fading; mrs efg is the only one of her family reasonably close, and feels an obligation to take care of her – at the same time she’s taking care of me. It’s a 70 minute drive and a whole day.
    Consumer Reports (yes, that one) decided, literally on an hour’s notice, to nuke the successful Consumerist web site. My daughter, a senior editor, and five other people were thrown out of work literally with no notice.
    And of course there’s the dark cloud of mire that envelops us all, spreading malevolence like an acid fog over whatever it sees.
    And then I just think of my granddaughter, who told me today very seriously that “Dark Vader is Luke’s father. He should ‘sposed to be nice to his son.” And I smile, and am happy, and nothing else matters.

    Let’s all except the delusional people, liars, prevaricators, and alleged Randians have a better 2018.

    And you jackals sometimes make it possible to get thru.

  56. 56.

    Mike J

    December 31, 2017 at 10:25 pm

    In 2018 you will perhaps be involved in your personal life dramas, but never forget that we are the French nation.- EM

  57. 57.

    Ruckus

    December 31, 2017 at 10:26 pm

    @efgoldman:
    Back atcha EFG.

  58. 58.

    Sab

    December 31, 2017 at 10:27 pm

    @SgrAstar: She doesn’t usually eat weird stuff, plus the second x-ray showed no socks or other such stuff.

  59. 59.

    debbie

    December 31, 2017 at 10:27 pm

    Happy New Year! May 2018 surprise us all with its excellence!

  60. 60.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 31, 2017 at 10:28 pm

    @efgoldman:

    “Dark Vader is Luke’s father. He should ‘sposed to be nice to his son.”

    Geez, spoiler alert next time efg.

  61. 61.

    p.a.

    December 31, 2017 at 10:28 pm

    Thank FSM it’s legal to say Happy New Year again. So there, I just did.

  62. 62.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 31, 2017 at 10:29 pm

    @debbie: I’ll take indictments.

  63. 63.

    Omnes Omnibus

    December 31, 2017 at 10:29 pm

    @efgoldman: Fucking grandfathers. My dad has been unrecognizable as the same person since October of 2001. He is often, how shall I say it, nice and cheerful. Weird shit.

  64. 64.

    Emma

    December 31, 2017 at 10:29 pm

    Happy New Year to all of you, who have made my life so much easier in the past two years, just by being yourselves. Thank you.

  65. 65.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 31, 2017 at 10:30 pm

    @p.a.: I know, there was nothing to be happy about with Obummer.

  66. 66.

    eclare

    December 31, 2017 at 10:36 pm

    @Ruckus: Um, I think it was supposed to be a saying about fortitude, and how that was important, and not literal advice about how to survive a fire.

  67. 67.

    Brachiator

    December 31, 2017 at 10:36 pm

    Happy New Year to everyone!

  68. 68.

    Sab

    December 31, 2017 at 10:36 pm

    @SgrAstar: Gotta love labs. I adored my GSD, but my lab and my lab-mix were the best dogs ever. Both made it to sixteen years, which is remarkable for labs. I also had a Norwegian Elkhound lab mix (looked like a lab in an elkhound suit) who was a goofy looking but wonderful dog who also made it to 16. All smart, loyal, loving dogs who unfailingly loved not just me but the whole pack.

    Labs are wonderful dogs, but a bit lacking on the protection side. Also they want to eat a lot, and all the time.

  69. 69.

    Mingobat (f/k/a Karen in GA)

    December 31, 2017 at 10:37 pm

    @Sab: Sending healing thoughts to you and your pup. I’m wondering what’s been going on with my Muppet all month, so I understand.

    New Years resolutions: (1) try to be more active; and (2) finally set up the Zenfolio photography website I signed up (and paid) for earlier this month.

    Happy New Year to all.

  70. 70.

    efgoldman

    December 31, 2017 at 10:37 pm

    Oh. And I am trying to persuade mrs efg that we need a dog; if for no other reason that to get exercise walking (I’m not likely to walk regularly without some outside incentive) maybe sometime in 2018. I will be asking for advice later [not now].

  71. 71.

    Steve in the ATL

    December 31, 2017 at 10:37 pm

    @Ruckus:

    I’ve been on ladders leading out of a fireroom, two 1200 degree boilers going, it’s 95-100 outside and the humidity is very close to 100%, it’s over 140 at the top of the ladder, you can burn your feet right through your shoes.

    That’s Memphis every August.

  72. 72.

    dance around in your bones

    December 31, 2017 at 10:38 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    You are so kind! I’m always around but comment infrequently-ever since I found this joint lo these many years ago it has become an addiction. It’s where I get news that’s unbearable but the comments make it easier to grin and bear. To know that there are fine people out there who share my sensibilities!

    Resist, no kidding!

  73. 73.

    Steve in the ATL

    December 31, 2017 at 10:38 pm

    @efgoldman: I’ve got a 105-pound golden retriever you can borrow

  74. 74.

    Zelma

    December 31, 2017 at 10:39 pm

    Happy New Year to John and to all the people who make Balloon Juice a special place.

  75. 75.

    schrodingers_cat

    December 31, 2017 at 10:39 pm

    @Baud: साल मुबारक

  76. 76.

    delk

    December 31, 2017 at 10:41 pm

    Happy New Years everyone! Wishing you all good health and happiness for 2018.

  77. 77.

    efgoldman

    December 31, 2017 at 10:41 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    He is often, how shall I say it, nice and cheerful. Weird shit.

    You may be assured that here in jackalville I will remain the same nasty ass old fart as always.

    Fuckem

  78. 78.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 31, 2017 at 10:42 pm

    @Mingobat (f/k/a Karen in GA): Zenfolio looks interesting.

  79. 79.

    Omnes Omnibus

    December 31, 2017 at 10:44 pm

    @efgoldman: Oh, he is the same to me as always. And even to my brother. It is the grandkids and their friends and families to whom he appears a completely jolly, old soul.

  80. 80.

    Sab

    December 31, 2017 at 10:44 pm

    @Lyrebird: I think I understood your comment even if I couldn’t repeat it
    coherently. Thank you.

    Also autocorrect serves a useful purpose but mostly annoys me.

  81. 81.

    Lyrebird

    December 31, 2017 at 10:45 pm

    @efgoldman:

    Haven’t said so properly, but SO so happy you’re back to pepper these boards.

    And then I just think of my granddaughter…

    Yay!!

    And best wishes regarding daughter’s job.

    Mine is not certain after spring term, and I get major joy from my little one, and major worries regarding my own job. But we have very much to be thankful for.

  82. 82.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 31, 2017 at 10:45 pm

    The neighbors are having a party, it’s been 9 hours(they started around 11am).

  83. 83.

    Big Picture Pathologist

    December 31, 2017 at 10:45 pm

    HNY to JC, the other front pagers, and the rogues’ gallery of commenters…

  84. 84.

    Ruckus

    December 31, 2017 at 10:46 pm

    @eclare:
    I know. My humor some times leaves a bit to interpret. That was a fire room, not a room on fire. Boiler room on a steam powered navy ship is the fireroom. It’s like hell in there, except when the outside temp is around freezing. And there is only one way out and that’s up that ladder, the fire rooms are about 2 1/2 – 3 stories high and their floor is the bottom of the ship. I had to go down there every time we left or entered port. We had equipment in there that extended out the bottom of the ship and had to be raised or it would hit bottom and the ship would have to be put in drydock to fix it.

  85. 85.

    Ruckus

    December 31, 2017 at 10:48 pm

    @Steve in the ATL:
    Another good reason not to live there.

  86. 86.

    Gelfling 545

    December 31, 2017 at 10:48 pm

    @Sab: I had to do this type of feeding for the late Snarla at one point. She eventually perked up and had another 2+ good years. Best wishes for your dog’s recovery.

  87. 87.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    December 31, 2017 at 10:49 pm

    @Ruckus: A fire room just feels like a room on fire?

  88. 88.

    Sab

    December 31, 2017 at 10:50 pm

    @Steve in the ATL: I bet it eats a lot, and needs brushing, and needs hugs all day long. Goldens are emotionally needy (i.e. good dogs).

  89. 89.

    Ohio Mom

    December 31, 2017 at 10:52 pm

    Happy New Year to one and all!

    Sometimes I am on a commenting jag, other times I revert to merely lurking — whichever, this site is a daily stop and has become an anchor for me. I am very grateful to all of you, frontpagers and fellow commenters alike, for the community I have found here.

  90. 90.

    Another Scott

    December 31, 2017 at 10:52 pm

    Best wishes to everyone here and to everyone we care about. Fingers crossed for 2018! Let’s keep working to make things better.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  91. 91.

    Lyrebird

    December 31, 2017 at 10:52 pm

    @Sab:

    I think I understood your comment even if I couldn’t repeat I think coherently.

    Hey thanks for the shout back.
    No one on this list at least is gonna expect you to be very coherent this evening!

  92. 92.

    Sab

    December 31, 2017 at 10:52 pm

    @Gelfling 545: THANK YOU. I REALLY NEEDED TO READ THAT.

  93. 93.

    ChiGail

    December 31, 2017 at 10:53 pm

    Thanks all of you for keeping me amused and getting me agitated and even, occasionally, optimistic. Happy 2018 from a loyal lurker.

  94. 94.

    chris

    December 31, 2017 at 10:54 pm

    It’s 11:50 here and the fireworks have started across the river. Bert has retired to his crate for the duration because he knows that the gunfire will start in a few minutes and the fireworks will go on for a while. So much for the quiet country life. Think I’ll have another wee piece of chocolate before bed.

    Happy New Year to all! 2018’s gotta be better, right?

  95. 95.

    geg6

    December 31, 2017 at 10:55 pm

    Happy new year, John Cole. Thank you for providing this space to us jackals. 2017 was the year i most needed BJ and thank pasta it was here for me.

    And the happiest of New Years to Lily, Rosie, Thurston, Yuki and, lord of them all, Steve. Koda and Lovey send their love.

  96. 96.

    Mnemosyne

    December 31, 2017 at 10:56 pm

    Watching the Thin Man marathon on TCM, drinking pinot noir, and having beef stew with pinot noir in it. Pretty good evening.

  97. 97.

    Steeplejack

    December 31, 2017 at 10:57 pm

    @Ridnik Chrome:

    Let me cue that up for you. My favorite version of “My Favorite Things,” recorded (I think) on a German TV show. (Couldn’t find the version without the idiotic logo plastered all over it. Apologies.)

  98. 98.

    Ruckus

    December 31, 2017 at 10:57 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA:
    I’ve also been in rooms on fire and a fireroom feels closer to hell to me.
    And to the guys who worked in there. Shorthanded, as long as the boilers were lit, they worked 6hrs on and 6hrs off. Day in day out. If we were in port for a short time, say 3 days, the boilers stayed lit. We got liberty, they got to work 6 on, 6 off. Under way 6 on, 6 off. Good duty. Not.

  99. 99.

    WaterGirl

    December 31, 2017 at 10:58 pm

    @Another Scott: Ahem! We have to fight them every day.

  100. 100.

    Mike in NC

    December 31, 2017 at 10:59 pm

    @Viva BrisVegas: Trumpy New Year is already written into law.

  101. 101.

    Schlemazel

    December 31, 2017 at 11:00 pm

    Happy New Year to Halifax & Caracus!

  102. 102.

    Mingobat (f/k/a Karen in GA)

    December 31, 2017 at 11:00 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: It was either that or SmugMug. Zenfolio was having a half-off sale for the year, which clinched it.

  103. 103.

    NotMax

    December 31, 2017 at 11:01 pm

    @Sab

    Not the brightest of bulbs in the dog marquee. Someone lefts hers with a group of us once while she went off on vacation. None of us liked the dog’s name (can’t remember what it was, truth be told none us us harbored much of a liking for her either but we were known to be good with dogs). By the time she returned we had trained it to answer only to “Veggie.”

  104. 104.

    eclare

    December 31, 2017 at 11:02 pm

    @Ruckus: I have the utmost respect for Navy people, I think (know) I would go nuts and be claustrophobic. That said, I love the poster the Navy came out with maybe five or ten years ago, “Sometimes we follow the storm, sometimes we are the storm.” Colbert had a great interview with Secretary Mabus on the Report.

  105. 105.

    Mnemosyne

    December 31, 2017 at 11:07 pm

    @Sab:

    We had a whole issue with one of our cats last year where she became scarily lethargic and stopped eating. After multiple trips to the regular vet and the specialty vet to check her for cancer, it turned out to be an autoimmune disease called pemphigus. Now we have to give her steroids every few days and we’re still figuring out the long-term dose, but she perked right up as soon as she started getting the right treatment. It was really scary until they got it figured out.

  106. 106.

    NotMax

    December 31, 2017 at 11:08 pm

    If I may be so bold –

    TO ALL LURKERS:

    Make a New Year’s resolution to come into the pool and play, at the least from time to time. Can’t have a choir without a multiplicity of voices.

  107. 107.

    fuckwit

    December 31, 2017 at 11:08 pm

    @WaterGirl: 2019, maybe. First, we take back the House next November. Then, they’re sworn in at the end of January 2019. Then, Impeachment vote in the House in the spring or summer. Then… the wheels turn and either we pressure the Senate into voting to convict, or, the Shitgibbon to call it quits. By end of 2019 we should be free of his corrupt ass.

  108. 108.

    Duane

    December 31, 2017 at 11:13 pm

    This is a popsicle stand? I came here to get chili! It’s freezing out and you’re selling popsicles. This joint’s never gonna make it. Happy New Year anyway.

  109. 109.

    Betsy

    December 31, 2017 at 11:17 pm

    Love being here with the jackals through the years since I found y’all back three or so presidential cycles.

    I remember how delightful it was to point and mock together within a day of Sarah Palin’s appearance on the political scene. We knew what she was before anyone else did.

    What happens here helps me sort through the mess. There’s a lot of support and great takes on this forum, along with the (mostly harmless) snark and growly grief.

    Best wishes to all, especially our hard-working front-pagers.

    On to 2018! I sense good things ahead.

    H O P E

  110. 110.

    frosty

    December 31, 2017 at 11:19 pm

    Happy New Year from me to Cole, front pagers, and all jackals, commenters and lurkers both. And I second everyone’s thanks for the site. Can’t say it’s keeping me sane, but it sure makes it easier to get through the crap raining down every day.

  111. 111.

    eclare

    December 31, 2017 at 11:20 pm

    @Ohio Mom: Hope Ohio Dad keeps getting better.

  112. 112.

    c u n d gulag

    December 31, 2017 at 11:21 pm

    Nappy Yew Hear!

    Whoooooopshieeee!
    *HIC*
    Startled shelegrading two urlee!!!

  113. 113.

    lurker dean

    December 31, 2017 at 11:23 pm

    happy new year, thanks to all for keeping many of us sane last year!

  114. 114.

    c u n d gulag

    December 31, 2017 at 11:24 pm

    @frosty:
    Yeah.
    Crap.
    Like piss.

    The only things that really trickle-down.

  115. 115.

    Jackie

    December 31, 2017 at 11:26 pm

    @chris: I’m in southeastern WA state and fireworks have been exploding since about 6:30. Not even midnight eastern time ? It’s going to be a loooong nite for cat critters – and by default – me.

  116. 116.

    debbie

    December 31, 2017 at 11:29 pm

    There may be a record tonight. Celebratory gunfire started at 11pm.

  117. 117.

    AliceBlue

    December 31, 2017 at 11:31 pm

    Happy new year to JC and all the Juicers! May it be a better one for all of us.

  118. 118.

    Omnes Omnibus

    December 31, 2017 at 11:31 pm

    @debbie: Aren’t you in C-bus? Where is the gunfire from?

  119. 119.

    Schlemazel

    December 31, 2017 at 11:32 pm

    I was just thinking about this. I started stopping by this nightmare back when the great orange satan was recommending you. It made no sense as you were a wingnut then, must have been around 2004 or so(?). I watched as the light came on & saw how your former friends tore into you. Even the worst days now you never get treated that badly anymore. I guess that means I have been by under one nym or another for something like 13 years. Thanks for keeping the lights on, I don’t know what I would do without all these jackals.

  120. 120.

    SiubhanDuinne

    December 31, 2017 at 11:32 pm

    @chris:

    It’s 11:30 here, and the fireworks have been going on steadily for five solid hours.

    ETA: Should clarify that these are amateur fireworks, not anything sanctioned by any official jurisdiction.

  121. 121.

    chris

    December 31, 2017 at 11:34 pm

    @Jackie: It was actually much quieter than normal. Must be too cold to go out on the porch in bare feet.

  122. 122.

    Another Scott

    December 31, 2017 at 11:34 pm

    @efgoldman: You and your family have had more than your share of trials recently. :-( I’m glad you are all there for each other. And I’m glad you’re here for us in this little nearly-top-10000 blog.

    Best wishes, efg. Here’s hoping for a much better 2018!

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  123. 123.

    debbie

    December 31, 2017 at 11:40 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    It’s from the Near East Side, which starts just a few blocks away to the west.

  124. 124.

    Another Scott

    December 31, 2017 at 11:40 pm

    @WaterGirl: D’Oh!

    :-)

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  125. 125.

    Ruckus

    December 31, 2017 at 11:42 pm

    @eclare:
    We were all just guys doing what we were supposed to be doing there and then. One time I realized that I hadn’t seen the outside, the sky for over 3 weeks. Outside was water and sky, sky and water, water and sky……… It’s more boring than anything else. I imagine that if someone was shooting at you that might change. In the North Atlantic we frequently were shadowed by a similar ship to ours from the USSR. They would follow us for days staying off about 1/4 mile, matching course and speed. When we refueled they would move farther away, in case anything went wrong. When the tanker would leave they’d move right back into position. On night, at about 2 or 3 am the general quarters alarm sounded. 2/3 of the ship is asleep. About 30 seconds later we found out we hadn’t joined the war, it was a simple fire and the moron on watch couldn’t remember that we had a FIRE alarm that he was supposed to sound. Didn’t make many of us feel all that good though, knowing what could be. If the ship went down and you survived the sinking, you’d freeze to death in less than a minute without a full survival suit. We of course didn’t have these. So freeze to death it is. Funny what the government is willing to spend money on during a war, personal survival doesn’t seem to be found in those dollars. We did have a draft after all, how much easier is it to just request more bodies?

  126. 126.

    Another Scott

    December 31, 2017 at 11:43 pm

    @c u n d gulag: C U! Some of us were afraid that we’d finally lost you to the gulag!

    Glad to see you around here again.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  127. 127.

    Ruckus

    December 31, 2017 at 11:48 pm

    @c u n d gulag:
    It is TINKLE DOWN after all, not trickle down. As in we are rich, piss on you peons. Which may be the genesis of peon.

  128. 128.

    chris

    December 31, 2017 at 11:48 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Lucky you! There’s hardly any people here and very few of them are young enough to be up and partying at midnight. The complaints will go on all week.
    Happy New Year, SD!

  129. 129.

    SiubhanDuinne

    December 31, 2017 at 11:48 pm

    @c u n d gulag:

    Nice to see you here! I know you comment frequently at Gin & Tacos, but haven’t seen you at BJ for ever so long.

  130. 130.

    eclare

    December 31, 2017 at 11:52 pm

    @Ruckus: That was quite the wake up call. Ugh.

  131. 131.

    SiubhanDuinne

    December 31, 2017 at 11:53 pm

    @chris:

    Thanks, and a happy new year to you! Eight minutes until midnight here.

    It’s funny, the fireworks sound as though they are right outside my bedroom window, although there’s no visible sign of them. Some acoustical trick, I guess. Same thing happens around July 4th every year.

  132. 132.

    SiubhanDuinne

    January 1, 2018 at 12:00 am

    HAPPY 2018, everyone! (Well, if you’re in the Eastern time zone.)

  133. 133.

    NotMax

    January 1, 2018 at 12:01 am

    Adios to this Edsel Vega Pinto Yugo of a year.

  134. 134.

    Ruckus

    January 1, 2018 at 12:04 am

    @NotMax:
    Some people just can not get that involved. Have you ever felt like your feet are glued to the floor? You can’t move one way or another because it looks like shit in every direction? It can be difficult to do some days for everyone but if your days are basically shit for one reason or another out of your control, it’s hard to jump into the fire all that often. We run the politicians we have for office, we work with who we have to work with and we take the voters we can. Last year I sat at a table in someone’s back yard making phone calls for HRC. A young man at the table stated he was a republican and everyone stopped and looked at him. His next words were, we can’t let this asshole win. We all nodded and got down to business. He did fine by the way.

  135. 135.

    O. Felix Culpa

    January 1, 2018 at 12:04 am

    @Ohio Mom: Oh, I’m glad I’m not the only one who follows that commenting/lurking/commenting pattern. Youse people is good folks and I’m grateful for you. Here’s to a blue wave 2018! Let’s make it so.

  136. 136.

    Steeplejack

    January 1, 2018 at 12:07 am

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    Happy New Year!

    Weird: the New York countdown with Ryan Seacrest on ABC was 15 seconds behind, according to my computer and the cable box. Guess it’s so cold it’s slowing down the video feed.

    I went out for two minutes to get something from the car, and, damn, it is cold out there! Currently 17° here in NoVA. Think I’m going to have a rum and tonic, putter around a bit and then pack it in.

    P.S. I missed Kathy Griffin on TV. A needed antidote to all the saccharine bullshit.

  137. 137.

    Ruckus

    January 1, 2018 at 12:07 am

    @eclare:
    He didn’t learn, same thing happened about a month later about the same time in the morning. Like I said, moron.

  138. 138.

    SiubhanDuinne

    January 1, 2018 at 12:10 am

    @dance around in your bones:

    I hope you will comment more often in 2018. Happy New Year to you and to all — and now that the firecrackers have finally stopped (unless they’re just reloading), I’m going to try for a night’s sleep and see if I can shake this bug that’s trying to make me all achy.

  139. 139.

    Ruckus

    January 1, 2018 at 12:11 am

    @NotMax:
    A Yugo of a year. Perfect. An absolute piece of shit that while cheap, you will pay to own in ways you can’t imagine long after it sits in your driveway a disgusting, rotting turd of an object that screws you in many ways you can’t imagine either. It would have been better to take the money and light it on fire. It wouldn’t hurt any more and you will have gotten a better value out of the deal.

  140. 140.

    Steeplejack

    January 1, 2018 at 12:12 am

    Oops, almost forgot to play “My Favorite Things.”

  141. 141.

    Omnes Omnibus

    January 1, 2018 at 12:17 am

    @debbie: I lived for a few years just behind the main library and Deaf School Park. Never heard guns. Left in 2008, maybe things changed. Or my sex life was that good then so I didn’t notice.

  142. 142.

    satby

    January 1, 2018 at 12:20 am

    I’ll enjoy reading the whole thread tomorrow, for now just popping in to wish us all more happiness in the new year. Best wishes to all jackals and lurkers, and gratitude and love to John for bringing us all together.

  143. 143.

    Timurid

    January 1, 2018 at 12:28 am

    Happy New Year, everyone.

  144. 144.

    mai naem mobile

    January 1, 2018 at 1:42 am

    Happy New Year. 2017 can’t be gone fast enough . 2018 better be substantially better.

  145. 145.

    amygdala

    January 1, 2018 at 2:44 am

    Happy New Year, all. I’d never be accused of being sane, but the camaraderie definitely makes me slightly less crazy. Many, many thanks.

  146. 146.

    Beautifulplummage

    January 1, 2018 at 2:51 am

    Happy New Year all. Thanks to everyone here for the needed refuge!

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