“Hi! My name is Roseate Spoonbill, and I’ll be foraging for minnows, crawdads and bugs in your pond today.”
“I’ll just be over here sweeping my weird bill from side to side. Don’t mind me!”
“Glug-glug-glug…”
Saw this lovely critter yesterday in a suburban pond. There are tons of spoonbills around here, but I’ve never seen one with such a dark pink bar before.
Open thread!
Corner Stone
What was that? Sorry, I can’t hear anything you said over the extremely loud squealing coming from Mar A Lago.
trollhattan
Pretty, and pretty odd, too.
So this happened.
Corner Stone
I wonder what evil shit Trump and ZEGS are going to come up with in an effort to move the conversation away from last week?
Corner Stone
@trollhattan: Jeebus. Third graders being inoculated and initiated.
Miss Bianca
Spoonbill!
I will always remember the spoonbill because of my mother’s ONE WEIRD TRICK of doing decoupage as a hobby during my formative years. She used to cut up pictures from various sources – including books, to my infinite annoyance – and paste them onto things. Sometimes she’d even 3-D the images by stuffing them with some kind of elastoplast or something. Anyway, my toy chest in the TV room was decoupage’d liberally with Audubon bird prints – and the spoonbill was featured dead center.
aimai
@trollhattan: Holy crap what is wrong with people?
Rob
I love spoonbills.
Jeffro
@Corner Stone: LOL
hey if/when yāall get a chance, check out āSomething Rottenā. Mini-me and I are at the National Theatre today loving this show ??
germy
link
mai naem mobile
I’m just wondering what was the FBI going to do after they saw Nikolas Cruz if they go to see him. Arrest him for what? Take his guns because he was mentally ill? Can somebody please ask Dolt45 that since he signed the law that made it easier for Cruz to get the guns?
Major Major Major Major
Goofy-ass bird!
Iām down at a TĆŖt celebration with the inlaws. So much pork!
Corner Stone
@Miss Bianca:
Are we back to talking about Giada’s cleavage?
Brachiator
My Black Panther non-spoiler review
I came. I saw. I was conquered.
Black Panther was hugely satisfying. Good story and great characters. As with the Amazon world in Wonder Woman, director (and co-screenwriter) Ryan Coogler creates a Wakanda that you love discovering.
The movie has lots of Marvel certified action and while I knew that the movie featured a number of women in supporting roles, I really enjoyed the moments in which they were allowed to shine, even take over. But I just loved, loved, loved the relationship between Black Panther and his nerd scientist sister Shuri, played with sly humor by Letitia Wright.
Winston Duke is also great as a warrior who challenges the king. Andy Serkis and Michael B Jordan are also wonderful and the movie rises above the typical superhero film by making you understand exactly what the bad guys want and making them sympathetic characters.
I loved that the movie has wide appeal. At my mid day matinee, a strong plurality of the audience was Asian American. Couples, groups of young adults, families with kids.
When I was leaving the theater, I noticed the next audiences included many interracial couples, and most were white, Asian and Latino men with black wives. A cool smackdown of racist idiocy.
And yes, a number of folk were rocking out with Black Panther themed clothing. A nice party atmosphere.
Wakanda Forever!
Miss Bianca
@germy: See, this. Hit them where they really live, and suddenly the GOP might discover that gun control legislation really is possible!
Hungry Joe
Me, late Saturday afternoon, peering into fridge: “Now, where is … it’s gotta be in here some- … ” (Moving stuff around) “No way, no, I’m SURE I brought in the salmon when I got home from the store yesterday.” Me, peering into trunk of car: “FUCK fuckfuckfuckfuck.”
zhena gogolia
SO CUTE I LOVE IT
Corner Stone
@Hungry Joe: This is a case, like Cole’s mustard, where it may have been better to have never been found again.
Miss Bianca
@Corner Stone: Wait, what? I’m guessing that “decolletage” is one of the reference points, but who’s Giada?
trollhattan
@Hungry Joe:
Somehow the Cole mustard thesis is being applied to your life. Man, that sucks unless it happens to be 20 degrees where you live.
StringOnAStick
I’m trapped on the couch by two napping kittens, who are teens at this point (5 months). Neutering happens this Thursday, something I dread doing to them but it must be done. I should get up and go for a hike but I’m enjoying their company.
I’m going to resistbot my sleazy GOP senator Gardner and ask him if his $3.8 million from the NRA makes him feel OK about dead kids.
trollhattan
@aimai:
At this point I think I’m afraid to find out. I’m imagining being one of the other team parents pondering how to tell machine gun dad his raffle idea is out in the weeds. As someone who loves buying unneeded cookies from little Girl Scouts outside the supermarket, I don’t know how I’d respond to a cute little boy in his baseball uniform offering me a chance at a military rifle for almost free.
satby
Well, my accomplishments for the day so far: getting dressed,one load of laundry, and three episodes of Victoria. I need to up my game a bit.
Hungry Joe
@trollhattan: San Diego, five miles inland. High was 76 yesterday. Salmon is now in freezer, awaiting trash day.
Schlemazel
@Brachiator:
Maybe an odd question. Would someone who is not a fan of superhero movies enjoy it? I have debated about going just to encourage more black led movies but in general I find these sorts of things long on noise and flash, full of one-dimensional characters and generally disinteresting. DOes Black Panther avoid that sort of thing for an interesting story?
zhena gogolia
@Miss Bianca:
Giada de Laurentiis, whose cooking show somehow always ends up playing on my husband’s treadmill when we go to the gym. She wears lowcut tops and bends over the cutting board a lot.
Schlemazel
@Hungry Joe:
See, now if you lived out here on the tundra that fish would be fresh frozen & as good as the day you bought it. Has to be some advantage to this weather.
Seriously though, bummer. SOrry .
trollhattan
@Hungry Joe:
Bummer. I checked and that’s not quite how ceviche is made.
71 here yesterday and now we have hard freeze warnings for Monday night. Not a drop of rain yet this month. What a weird year so far.
Miss Bianca
@StringOnAStick:
Ooh, good one. I think I’ll steal that one as a meme.
Or I may go with this: “So far, Senator, you’ve shown your willingness to hurt your constituents both by trying to repeal the ACA, and passing a massive tax cut for billionaires. You’ve consistently responded when called on it with weasel-speak about how what you’re doing actually BENEFITS us. I am waiting breathlessly to hear, in the wake of this latest mass gun murder at yet another school, how your NRA-funded opposition to sensible gun legislation actually benefits us, as well”
GregB
It looks like Rick Gates will testify against Manafort.
Mark
Ugly bird but cool. I’ve never seen one.
ixnay
@StringOnAStick: You are doing the right thing. This is the veterinarian half of ixnay speaking.
efgoldman
@trollhattan:
It’s probably way, way too much to hope for, but maybe, just maybe, a significant number of parents will refuse to sell tickets, and tell the coach and the league why.
CarolDuhart2
@trollhattan: Ugh. Couldn’t they just have a bakesale or something?
Corner Stone
@satby: Well, my son was with his mom last night but decided to come home early so they delightfully let themselves in this morning. Only sounding slightly less noisy than a herd of water buffalo. I’m still trying to figure out what day it is so you are miles ahead of me.
JPL
@Hungry Joe: Reminds me of the time I left the dozen eggs in the car. Unfortunately at the time it was July in Dallas.
Corner Stone
@GregB: Is this new reporting or just a summary from events last week?
patroclus
I’m conflicted on who I should vote for for Congress in Illinois’ 5th District. On the one hand, Mike Quigley is the incumbent and he’s a regular Democrat, he’s on the Intelligence Committee and has been active in committee and on TV about Trump’s treason-like behavior. He votes against all the insane Republican proposals. On the other hand, Quigley and I go way back and I’ve never been a big fan. He was sponsored by Mayor Daley to challenge Alderman Helen Shiller, who I liked and he vigorously criticized her for all sorts of spurious reasons. Then, he got elected to the Cook County Board and proceeded to raise all sorts of taxes on things I buy. He’s been in since the 2008 election and he’s acceptable to me, but not highly acceptable. He’s being challenged by 3 fairly strong challengers: Sameena Mustafa, Benjamin Thomas Wolf and Steve Schwartzberg, all of whom claim to be the “progressive” candidate in the race. Mustafa, a Muslim Indian-American, has a good website contrasting her views with Quigley’s (somewhat unfairly) and she seems fine, although with her name, I feel she has no chance. Schwartzberg’s website proclaims him as the Bernie Sanders candidate in the race, which is a big turnoff for me, but I’m sure he’d be okay because I agree with many of the issues he highlights. Benjamin Thomas Wolf has a very impressive resume, he served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, was a national security expert, served in the State Department and is a Roosevelt University professor. He claims to be a very progressive Democrat, but, uh, he was also on Condi Rice’s personal staff, which causes doubts because I think she was one of the worst National Security Advisers in the history of the country.
Anyone else live in the 5th District or wants to advise me? Quigley will probably win regardless because all the “progressives” will just split the vote of those who don’t like him. But I can always vote for him in the general. Usually, he’s unopposed, but not this time. And I’d rather vote for someone else now rather than wait for the Jill Stein-like Green challenger in November. All of them favor DACA reform, gun control, raising the minimum wage, climate change legislation, expanded social security and health care options etc…
Yutsano
@satby: I got the dishwasher loaded. Gonna camp out at the folks until tomorrow then hitch home for a couple days.
Then I turn Borg.
ixnay
@satby: Aw hell, I went and tried tha XC thing, and ended up hot, angry, feeling incompetent, and afraid. Not good.
Brachiator
@Schlemazel:
Here’s the thing. A couple of critics have described the film as Shakespearean. This might be taking things a little too far, but not by much. Coogler has to touch all the Marvel superhero bases, but he is also allowed to make the film his own.
Again, not spoiling anything, the film has more on its mind than just action and explosions, but doesn’t neglect the genre elements. I was really impressed with how everything was balanced. In fact, some of the opening had me worried. I was thinking, what is this stuff doing in a comic book superhero film. Not that this opening stuff was wrong or bad. I expected things to start out with action. But these scenes made total sense within the full context of the film.
Anyway, this may be a long winded way of saying that I think that the film can appeal to a wide audience on more than the level of a superhero film, especially because the characters are so engaging.
I also think the movie appeals to women and little girls because it does so well at putting women in the heart of the action and the emotional arc of the film.
Miss Bianca
@zhena gogolia: Ah. Tracking now. So…would that be Dino’s daughter, by any chance?
lamh36
Hello BJ!
Happy Sunday to ya’ll.
Been running errands, but back at home on the sofa, surfing the net, where I belong…LOL
So for one of those errands, I ended up at my local Target. At one point, someone must have been looking for a Black Panther movie t-shirt or something…so the assoc called over loudspeaker looking for a location of the merch and another assoc over the speaker, answered that they didnāt have anymore in stock at this time…
āBlack Pantherā Smashes Box Office Records and Hollywood Myths
Add in the overseas box office so far, last week before “wide release” Friday, box office was upwards of $42mill before the weekend wide release, not including big Asian markets like China & Japan, it’s being released there early March, I believe. Not for nothing, but I’m thinking it was really smart for Marvel/Disney to premiere the film in places they figured they’s get the big numbers and the story would not be about how the film may or may not have done badly in those markets, but instead, the headlines are all positive about the BIG numbers the film is doing. Also too, smart because by front loading the release, I think the thinking is…by the time the film opens in Japan and China, that it will be a bonfide hit and the Japanese and Chinese box office, which hasn’t been the kindest to predom Black films, will want to see the film that already a worldwide blockbuster.
Anyway add in the overseas box office so far…the film will likely end up with upwards of $380mill + global premiere weekend haul.
It’s basically breaking a bunch of previously held records…oh and BTW…the audience for the film was diverse…with not surprisingly a bigger % of African American moviegoers, but the % of other groups was pretty good as well.
Hm…Hollywood may yet learn…make diversity an option AND you make good product… AND you actually, ya know, promote good product…the audience (ie $$$$) WILL come!
Weekend Box Office: ‘Black Panther’ Bounds to Record-Shattering $218M-Plus Bow via @thr
JPL
@satby: I’m watching an episode of Grantchester on my local PBS station.
Corner Stone
@trollhattan: I just think it’s fucking immoral. Kids are almost too young for a Red Ryder BB gun and they’re now official Merchants of Death? That’s some twisted shit.
Yutsano
@patroclus: Avoid anyone associating with St Wilmer of Vermont. Honestly the Muslim woman intrigues me, so I’m inclined to support her. If nothing else than to get votes.
But even if it’s Quigley yeah you still vote for the Dem.
Miss Bianca
@Brachiator: I think it was Sister Rail Gun the other day who described the movie as “a meditation on the nature of leadership. With a few fist fights” – or words to that effect.
zhena gogolia
@Miss Bianca:
I think maybe niece. Too lazy to google . . .
Granddaughter.
zhena gogolia
@JPL:
Grantchester is always appropriate.
The Dangerman
@Corner Stone:
I sure as hell would be cancelling any trip to Korea right now; Trump must be hearing footsteps from Mueller (the next indictment is really gonna hurt and you KNOW it’s coming)…l
JPL
@GregB: In order to take down the Trump Org. Manafort would have to flip against Don Jr., or Trump himself. I think that Paul should stay away from windows and hire a food tester.
Schlemazel
@JPL:
Hard boiled?
lamh36
@lamh36: For anyone who wants to post about the film with spoilers, I’ve written 2 blog post in the last 3 days bout Black Panther…LOL.
Spoiler commentary welcome…LOL
Wow…I wrote two blog posts in less than 3 days…lol…
https://twitter.com/psddluva4evah/status/965334413688098818
satby
@Corner Stone: it’s Sunday. Glad to be of service.
Corner Stone
@JPL: I found the article off Cole’s twit feed that may be what GregB is referring to:
Former Trump aide Rick Gates to plead guilty; agrees to testify against Manafort, sources say
LATimes
Schlemazel
@Brachiator:
Thanks, now I can be excited to go & not just feel like an obligation. Appreciate it very much.
Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism
@Schlemazel: Earlier, I called it a meditation on what it means to lead a nation, with fistfights. I’m sticking with that description. Killmonger is one of the best villains in the entire sequence of films and TV, comparable to the Netflix version of Kingpin played by Vincent d’Onofrio. I’ve also seen him compared to Redford’s character in Winter Soldier, who wasn’t as well defined but who could also almost convince you that he’s right about what needs to be done.
Another non-spoiler review.
Corner Stone
@satby: Shit.
patroclus
@Yutsano: It’s great that I have a choice – usually I don’t at all. And I’ve got choices for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General as well. I’m probably not going to go Quigley in the primary but will rally round if he wins the primary as expected. He’s on TV and none of the others are. Wolf seems like exactly the sort of candidate I’d like, but there’s that Condi thang (who, besides 9/11, also really screwed over TCU in 2014 on the CFP Committee). I could very well go for Mustafa. The Bernie guy is probably trailing Wolf and Mustafa for me.
Miss Bianca
@lamh36: ha ha, keep the spoiler thread up because my girlfriends and I are *definitely* going to be seeing this one in the theater!
Schlemazel
@Miss Bianca:
Granddaughter. Has a degree in anthropology from UCLA but went to Cordon Blu & opened a catering biz.
glory b
@trollhattan: How about “No thank you?” If enough of them report back with that response, maybe he’ll get a clue.
Geez, I live in an inner city neighborhood, where people have yard signs that say, “Stop shooting, we love you.”
no one here would raffle off a gun.
Immanentize
@GregB: Oh, I think Mr. Gates will be testifing to a lot more than just “against” Monafort. There is in my mind no coincidence in concluding his plea agreement and the release of indictments about Russian involvement in the election. Monafort is road kill. Let Dearthr Race 2016 begin in earnest.
lamh36
@Brachiator: As you know, I was def part of the hype train, but I had faith in Coogler above anything else and so I had high hopes that he’d get this right…and for once the hype did match the finished product.
I was invested good or bad, but it’s always good when the things you inverst in turn out so well.
I rarely see a movie more than once in theatres, only actually have seen maybe 2 or 3 film more than once in the past 10 years? But I’ll def be seeing this one in the theatres again. This time going back and seeing ALL of the lil Easter eggs I may have missed in my excitement over the first viewing.
satby
@patroclus: No to anyone still flogging their connection to Wilmer after the Russian indictments. The Condi Rice connection would worry me too on the other guy. Which would leave the Muslim woman, but what is her stance on women’s and LGTB rights? Because that’s important too.
Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism
@lamh36: Merchandise is selling out everywhere. People who haven’t been listening to the excitement building over the past weeks have been caught off guard.
Dorothy A. Winsor (formerly Iowa Old Lady)
@JPL: Friend of mine was driving home from the grocery store with a toddler strapped into his seat in the back, and he pulled an egg carton our of the bag and waved it around. She thought she got them all out, but the next day she was driving a car pool with kindergarteners and her older son said, “Mommy, I think a bird got into the car.” That was her first clue she missed an egg. So now she has three 5 year olds and the toddler in the car with a raw egg. Good times
satby
@Yutsano: dishwasher next on the list.
@ixnay: EXERCISE!? Way beyond my stamina today. Good on you for even trying.
Brachiator
@lamh36:
Black Panther opens in China on March 9. The studio is trying to build up positive buzz elsewhere. Also, and I think this is crazy, during the lunar New Year, they expect as many as 400 million people to travel to their home villages. That’s more than the population of the US! But this might not be the best time to go to movies in the big cities, especially to see foreign films.
Major Major Major Major
@Brachiator:
China is in many ways unfathomable to Americans.
patroclus
@satby: She’s an American-born daughter of Indian immigrants, she has a degree from Northwestern (like Prince Harry’s fiance – and she looks like her), she doesn’t wear a hijab, her website loudly proclaims her support for reproductive rights but doesn’t mention LGBT rights, although I suspect she’s an ally. I’ll investigate that further. She’s always lived in the District and I think she’s an enlightened Chicagoan, probably stunningly smart. Like I said though, I doubt if she has a chance and will probably finish a distant 4th.
Corner Stone
@patroclus: I have seen Quigley on TV several times and he seems pretty reasonable about things, IMO. OTOH, I am all for getting more women elected. Is this a district that will put any D in the GE into office?
And I’m with satby, death by murder to any Bernie related candidate.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@satby: I’ve been on my way to work out for three hours. Made it to the hardware store in the meantime, but not feeling motivated at all.
Brachiator
@lamh36:
I thought that he did some great character work with Creed, so he was on my list of young direcors to watch.
And you are absolutely right. He nailed it. Apart from the action and the drive of the main story, I really like how political themes are woven into the narrative without being heavy handed.
And yeah, I will be seeing the movie again soon,too.
Barbara
@StringOnAStick:
If you feel like it, you could add “where your treasure is there also will be your heart.” You won’t have to tell him where the quote comes from, he’s a Christofascist so he will know. His heart is with guns, not children.
Van Buren
As long as we are talking about movies, anyone else love 3 Billboards as much as I did?
Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism
@Miss Bianca: You mentioned liking national leader stories. Have your read The Goblin Emperor?
patroclus
@Corner Stone: Yeah, Quigley’s okay, although I have my problems with him that go 30 years back. Yes, this is a safe Dem district, the Trump party nominee will be lucky to get 30%, if that. This is Rostenkowski’s old district, had a Republican for two years (Flanigan), then Rahmbo, then Blago.
Dorothy A. Winsor (formerly Iowa Old Lady)
@Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism: OOh. I loved that book.
jacy
@lamh36:
We went last night — it’s what my oldest son wanted to do to celebrate his (29th!!) birthday. Him, me, The Boyfriend, my daughter (25), and my other two boys (17 and 12). Everybody loved it. It was really excellent, and the theater we were in (Baton Rouge) was sold out every showing. The 17-year-old said he thought is was the best of the Marvel superhero movies (and the kids have seen every one of them).
Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism
@Dorothy A. Winsor (formerly Iowa Old Lady): It topped my Hugo ballot that year.
Brachiator
@JPL:
@zhena gogolia:
I understand that Grantchester star James Norton may be in the running to become the next James Bond when Daniel Craig is done.
Also British actor Jack Lowden (Dunkirk).
patroclus
@Brachiator: Dunkirk was the movie about the Nazis successfully inserting a mole into the U.K. during WWII, right??
raven
@Brachiator: If you haven’t seen him in Happy Valley you need to. Talk about a different character, whew!
StringOnAStick
@Miss Bianca: I like your comment to Gardner better. Its more of the length for usi g my PC though I can compose some serious side eye on a phone. On this kindle, not so much!
Brachiator
@Van Buren:
Haven’t seen it yet. It’s winning some BAFTAs.
Miss Bianca
@Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism: No, but I think I saw it listed on some booklist on Tor not too long ago – Holly Black’s Five Favorite Modern Faery Stories, or something like that. I read another one on that list (was it “An Earthly Knight”? Can’t remember, would have to go back and look) and liked it, so if you recommend it, I will probably give that one a try as well!
StringOnAStick
@ixnay: Can your veterinarian half tell me that spaying is quick and easily recovered from? The last time I had a kitten was when I was 6, I’ve always had adult rescues ever since.
lamh36
@Brachiator: Since you’ve seen the film, you might want to check out the youtube video of Coogler breaking down the casinooo fight scene…it’s not really a spoiler, since the clip has been out before the film premiered, but still, if you haven’t seen the clip…DON’T WATCH THIS!…seeing and hearing Coogler’s thought process and how he approached aspects of the scene was pretty cool!
The detail and depth he put into that scene alone, is pretty cool
raven
@patroclus: never mind
Shana
@Jeffro: FYI, in case you and others are interested: Hamilton tickets go on sale February 28th for Kennedy Center members.
Brachiator
@Major Major Major Major:
I just thought the idea of so many people traveling for the holidays was cool. I also understand that China is investing heavily in infrastructure to accommodate travelers in the future, especially traditional and high speed rail.
satby
@patroclus: hell, there’s times I’ve threatened to wear hijab just to screw with bigots. I’d vote for Mustafa before the other two if you don’t want to go for Quigley in the primary.
NotMax
@Jeffro
Yowzah.
Between lyrics such as don’t be a penis, the man is a genius and a full-blown, full ensemble tap dance number straight out of 30s musicals (but with codpieces), what’s not to like?
Fun time at the theatre.
patroclus
@raven: :-)
satby
@StringOnAStick: it is! And it really is better for them.
Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism
@Miss Bianca: It’s steampunky with more Forbidden City than Victoriana and a wonderful main character who never expected to ascend the throne and wasn’t trained for it.
satby
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: I’m contemplating opening the box that my new beginner yoga dvds came in….. But that seems like a lot of work.
NotMax
@Major Major Major Major
The traditional descriptor is “inscrutable.”
Baud
@patroclus:
I agree with @satby.
Just One More Canuck
@Miss Bianca: granddaughter
Jay S
@JPL: Hey baked hard boiled eggs is a thing.
Baud
https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/policy-and-politics/2018/2/18/17025730/rick-gates-guilty-plea-mueller
JPL
@raven: Norton is an amazing actor and it wouldn’t surprise me if he became Bond.
brendancalling
Asheville NC, where my gal and I are weekending, is just lovely.
Corner Stone
@lamh36: I think I’m in love with that guy.
StringOnAStick
@satby: I know spaying is the right thing to do, I just feel so bad stuffing them in the carrier and scaring them so badly. I’m making my husband help so we can share the unpleasantness. We would have done it sooner but I had to work full time in January and this was the soonest they could do both on the same day. They are completely indoor kitties because coyotes, fox, bobcats, a d cars are common around here, so there is no chance they are pregnant.
moops
@lamh36:
That word, I do not think it means what you think it means.
Mnemosyne
@trollhattan:
White men’s need to prove that no one is the boss of them is going to kill us all.
Corner Stone
@brendancalling: My dad and stepmom bought some land there a few years back. Gorgeous spot elevated on a hill. No way for anyone to build in front of them and spoil the view. They ended up selling, much to my chagrin. If I could have afforded it at the time I would have bought it from them. Alas, alack and oh well.
Mnemosyne
@StringOnAStick:
Odds are that they’ll be fine. It will also help prevent cancer later in life: unspayed or late-spayed female cats are prone to reproductive cancers. Ask me how I know. ?
lamh36
@jacy: My sis lives in BR…and her and her fiance saw it Thursday night, and she said it was packed at her theatre too. She and the fiance are going to see it again today, this time in IMAX. I’m planning to see it again too, and if she tells me IMAX was worth it, I’ll likely be seein it in IMAX the second time around
JPL
@Immanentize: Although there is not information yet, does your gut tell you it is Don Jr. I normally stay away from a friend of a friend info, but I heard Jr. is in meltdown mode.
Josie
Okay – I have contracted the evil crud from my darling granddaughter (thanks, day care) and am coughing up my lungs. How long did you say this lasted, because it is getting on my last nerve?
Steeplejack
@zhena gogolia:
“Sidney is distracted.” Pretty sure that’s the program listing.
JPL
@Dorothy A. Winsor (formerly Iowa Old Lady): haha
Doug R
@Schlemazel: It does have the actors that played Gollum and Bilbo Baggins in an interrogation scene.
Corner Stone
Looks like Paulie Walnuts has his nuts in a Mueller Vice.
Mary G
Count me as another big fan of “Goblin Emperor.” One of the best books of the last few years.
debit
@StringOnAStick: My kitten is just coming up on six months too and I have an appointment to get her spayed in a couple of weeks. I’ve always had boy cats, and they come home from surgery feeling just fine. But with girls it’s more than just a couple of snips, so I am assuming she’ll have a little bit more down time afterward.
Your vet should give you pain meds to keep comfortable for a few days after surgery, and you should try to keep her quiet. This is going to be my challenge, as Dani doesn’t do quiet very well. My plan for the first night is to keep the boys away from her, then make sure she doesn’t jump or climb: this means closing off some rooms and moving some things around.
Brachiator
@lamh36:
This was really fun. I didn’t realize that they moved from floor level back to the warrior in red in a single take. This now reminds me of the great fight choreography and camera work in some of the best Asian action films, such as Peking Opera Blues.
Miss Bianca
@Mnemosyne:
“But this supposed to be a ‘APPY ocasion! Let’s not bicker and argue over ‘oo killed ‘oo.”
JPL
@Josie: I had to sleep sitting up three days, and then the lingering effects lasted another week or so.
lamh36
@Corner Stone: I love his accent…it’s sooo Oakland…LOL.
Also love that he travelled cross country to Oakland last Thursday, to surprise the moviegoers who came out for the movie showing at his ole neighborhood theatre. That dude reps for Oakland and the Bay area…hard…and I love it.
Baud
@Corner Stone:
I’m not up to speed on that nickname.
debit
@Mnemosyne: I’m so sorry, It happens with dogs too. As I found out with my Cocker. :(
Jay S
@Immanentize:
One of the LA times sources doesn’t think Gates testimony will reveal much Trump stuff, so Manafort may still have some chips left, I thought yesterday that Manafort was dead meat, but if Gates can’t pull down the temple alone, he’s got some room to maneuver. Although he can still try the good and faithful service hope for a pardon.
Josie
@JPL: Thanks. So I have one more sleepless night to go. Light at the end of the tunnel.
NotMax
@Corner Stone
Vise.
Mueller’s shop is devoid of vice.
Baud
@Corner Stone: Oh, sorry. Didn’t read the thread before posting my own link.
lamh36
@Brachiator: to think this is just Coogler’s 3rd major film!!! Wow
satby
@Josie: raven was sick for a month! Lots of folks said the cough lingered after they felt better, and Mucinex DM seems to be the favorite cough suppressant.
Betty Cracker
@brendancalling: I love Asheville! If I ever get banned from Florida, Iād move there.
JPL
I missed Sally Yates tweet from earlier
Brachiator
@patroclus:
Ha! No, it was about Churchill having a mole removed.
raven
@satby: I don’t know if anything really worked for me. I had codeine cough syrup and it did some good I guess. I did antibiotics and an inhaler but it still kicked my ass.
PlaneCrazy
Hereās a picture I took of spoon bills near Tampa a few years ago. I find them fascinating.
https://flic.kr/p/ee17Ej
Fleeting Expletive
One thing bothers me about the criticism of the FBI for something to do with the Florida idiot’s potential to do harm. What exactly was their jurisdiction before he acted, and what further should they have done about him before he committed the act? I don’t know the answers and I’m sure I have incomplete information. Apparently other authorities had checked him out repeatedly but found no actionable offense? Looking at local news anywhere in the country yields equally alarming stories about weird young dudes doing/threatening garbage stuff everywhere every day. What should or could Wray, the FBI, LEO’s, have done and when? It seems to be a screaming for a scapegoat, and yet, what is or could’ve been done?
Josie
@satby: Yeah, I remembered reading that and am taking it religiously. I also sleep with a cough drop lodged in the side of my mouth, which is a big no-no, but the only way to get any sleep.
Doug R
@Brachiator:
Everyone’s going to be on their phones while travelling and seeing all the publicity of how big BP is. Then when everything’s settled after the holiday, they’ll finally get to see it.
JPL
@Baud: Oh god he is going to tweet all night, isn’t he?
Corner Stone
@NotMax: Tsai.
raven
@brendancalling: Get to Malaprops?
Corner Stone
@Baud: Manafort’s mob name.
Betty Cracker
@Josie: My experience was similar to JPLās, but the cough dragged on for a couple of weeks. Probably because I used to smoke. (I quit more than five years ago, but I smoked for 20+ years and still suffer the effects.)
Baud
@Corner Stone: ty
raven
@Betty Cracker: I quit 50 years ago!
Brachiator
@Doug R:
That’s right! Only here, vibranium is “my precious.”
Doug R
@patroclus: 5th Congressional District Democratic candidate: Sameena Mustafa
I think you’ve found a good candidate.
frosty
BC which part of FL are you in? I’ve done 4 Snowbird trips in Feb (Gulf
coast ATM leaving for Atlantic coast tomorrow), have stayed in a bunch of state parks and toured wildlife refuges and haven’t seen a Roseate Spoonbill yet. I’m not a birder but it would be cool to see one.
Betty Cracker
@PlaneCrazy: What a fabulous photo! Wow!
Calouste
@germy: That GOP donor probably realizes that a lot of people might vote for Democrats over gun safety, and that that will endanger his tax cuts.
Josie
@Betty Cracker: Thanks, Betty. I quit over 30 years ago, and every cold I get still settles in my chest. We certainly do pay for our sins for a long time. It’s just that this one seems more relentless than any I’ve had before.
Betty Cracker
@frosty: Iām between Tampa and Sarasota. Iām not so familiar with the Atlantic side, but I know there are tons over there as well. I see them on golf courses more often than anywhere else, tbh.
Miss Bianca
@Doug R: She’d have my vote.
CapnMubbers
@Sister Rail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism: You were thinking about re-reading The Goblin Emperor rather than some insanity (too much, can’t remember which) at the same time I re-read this well-loved book for the nth time. Much to commend it, the character, restraint, and thinking process of the Emperor especially.
JPL
@Josie: Raven had to visit the dr. a few times so that might be something you consider.
Adria McDowell
@Betty Cracker: My daughter had that nasty cough for a month, too.
She just turned six.
Maybe the length of cough less to do with past smoking, and more with……ahem…..age (for kids, lack there of).
Iāll take my flogging now. Sorry.
SiubhanDuinne
@raven:
Coming up on my 25th anniversary next month!
Schlemazel
@Baud:
Paulie Walnuts was the name of a character in Sopranos. He is violent & obviously has mental problems but he was a very successful mob guy. Somehow that nickname got stuck on the other loser.
Mary G
@Jay S: Gates stayed when Manafort left. He had an official position on the transition team, if I remember correctly. He may know all manner of things. I’m hoping for Pence.
ETA: My memory sucks, he was on the inaugural committee, not the transition.
JPL
@Schlemazel: I still think that in order to bring down the trump org., Manafort would have to flip.
eclare
@PlaneCrazy: Great photo!
zhena gogolia
@Brachiator:
Wow, I can’t really see Norton as Bond. He’s too nice (but then I never saw Happy Valley).
zhena gogolia
@StringOnAStick:
It’s quick and easily recovered from. I’m not a vet but I’m a veteran of 8 cats, 6 of whom were male.
Schlemazel
You guys do know that the symptoms you are listing are the actual flu, right? REal flu does not involve throwing up & stomach distress but is a very serious disease that kills many people by clogging their lungs with fluids. If you have this crap going on see a doctor soon! Particularly if you are young, old or have other health issues. Don’t mess around with nyquil et al. Get medical attention.
This has been going around work & is really kicking the crap out of people. I don’t want to jinx myself so I am not saying anything more.
zhena gogolia
@StringOnAStick:
Sorry, I should have said two were female! I thought you were talking about “fixing,” not spaying. But I don’t recall that spaying was a big deal either.
eclare
@Josie: I developed the cough last night, and I ventured out to get something with dextromethorphan in it. It worked, but made me a little dizzy and drowsy. I’m only going to take it at night.
Steeplejack
@trollhattan:
Re the third-graders raffling the AR-15: The dad who donated the rifle is not just some garden-variety gun dealer. His company hypes itself as “a precision ļ¬rearms manufacturer specializing in the modern sporting rifle design.”
The Black Rain Ordnance website is a flashy jack-shack for gun nuts, Red Dawn reĆ«nactors and SWAT team cosplayers. You can even sign up to become part of the B.R.O. Nation (get it?). “News and discounts delivered straight to your in-box!”
How about a BRO Urban, from the Recon series. “Let it rain!” lettered on the side. That’ll show those deer and pesky varmints! You know, when you’re hunting. All yours for $1,849.
zhena gogolia
@Steeplejack:
And “Leonard is confused.”
Schlemazel
@JPL:
It would be helpful but my guess is not essential.
frosty
@Betty Cracker: Thanks! I’ll check out Mar-a-lago when we check in next week.//
zhena gogolia
@Schlemazel:
Yes, they all should see a doctor.
Betty Cracker
@Adria McDowell: My 99-year-old grandma recently defeated pneumonia, something her doctors told us was not possible. Age-schmage!
Jay S
@Mary G:
That was why I thought Manafort might not have any chips left, but the early leaks are downplaying anything other than Manafort. I hope that is wrong, as early reporting often is, but I am not getting my hopes up.
PlaneCrazy
@Betty Cracker: Thanks. I enjoy your nature photos so much, Iām glad I was able to contribute one. They remind me of when we would come down and visit my folks in Clearwater Beach. Thereās a great bird sanctuary just down the coast from where they lived. Canāt remember the name but there were a ton of cool birds.
MoxieM
Spoonbills are wonderful!
And although I know about nothing regarding ornithology, I am very fond of Shoebills as well. (From a long distance, seeing as how they are about shoulder height.) They are kind of bird who truly make you see the dinosaur under the feathers. (edit for being a dummy.)
Adria McDowell
@Betty Cracker: That is awesome! Go Granny Cracker!
Yeah, age is just one aspect. I just always have a special concern for the young, and those who have taken a few trips around the sun!
Adria McDowell
@Steeplejack: Fuck those jokers. Thereās only one BRO, and thatās the Big Red One.
Ruckus
@patroclus:
From what you wrote you sound spot on. I would quibble just a bit on the guy that worked for Rice. In a competent administration, which that one wasn’t, an opposing view point is not a bad thing. I know that sounds like Adam but he’s absolutely right, knowing the other side is vital. That said he did work for Rice and in that administration. I’d want a lot more specifics before I check the box for him. Which leaves the woman or the incumbent. If you are sour on the old guy and the new woman seems OK……..
Ruckus
@raven:
Same here, although I didn’t actually smoke all that much. But I did live in LA so that’s pretty much the same thing as smoking.
Beautifulplumage
@Steeplejack: Yeah but the 16″ “New York” is available in Skull ($2299). Must be referring to hunting in upstate NY…
Doug R
@patroclus: The mole is in France, duh.
Beautifulplumage
@Beautifulplumage: I’m sure if I squint just right they resemble deer skulls. Yeah, that’s it, just deer skulls, nothin to see here.
raven
@Adria McDowell: You gonna be one you may as well be a Big Red One!
Elizabelle
@Betty Cracker: Great news about Granny Cracker. Very pleased to hear she is still with us, and recovered, yet.
Dan B
My partner and I have had many cats, all “tutored”. My partner volunteered with a feral cat capture, spay, release group for years. The all time record was twenty four in his station wagon. They sll had rapid recoveries with down time in their carriers in dark quiet rooms. The vets provide pain meds.
Enjoy your kittens and treat them to a safe and stimulating home. With lotsa loving.
jl
Thnx to Lady Cracker for birdie pix from her enchanted garden.
Kayla Rudbek
@CapnMubbers: concur with this and the other opinions above. I bought the book in ebook, audiobook, and paperback, and if she ever writes anything else set in that universe, I will preorder the ebook so it is in my hot greedy little hands ASAP.
No One You Know
@Schlemazel: I loved Black Panther; movies with smart, competent women who are actually allowed to dress so they can fight, not strut, just feel different, in a very good way.