Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

You know it’s bad when the Project 2025 people have to create training videos on “How To Be Normal”.

Never give a known liar the benefit of the doubt.

We know you aren’t a Democrat but since you seem confused let me help you.

Anne Laurie is a fucking hero in so many ways. ~ Betty Cracker

We will not go back.

Tide comes in. Tide goes out. You can’t explain that.

Fear or fury? The choice is ours.

Sadly, media malpractice has become standard practice.

the 10% who apparently lack object permanence

With all due respect and assumptions of good faith, please fuck off into the sun.

“Until such time as the world ends, we will act as though it intends to spin on.”

If rights aren’t universal, they are privilege, not rights.

SCOTUS: It’s not “bribery” unless it comes from the Bribery region of France. Otherwise, it’s merely “sparkling malfeasance”.

If you voted for Trump, you don’t get to speak about ethics, morals, or rule of law.

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

They were going to turn on one another at some point. It was inevitable.

New McCarthy, same old McCarthyism.

There is no compromise when it comes to body autonomy. You either have it or you do not.

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

GOP baffled that ‘we don’t care if you die’ is not a winning slogan.

“Perhaps I should have considered other options.” (head-desk)

There is no right way to do the wrong thing.

A thin legal pretext to veneer over their personal religious and political desires.

You passed on an opportunity to be offended? What are you even doing here?

You are here: Home / John Cole Presents "This Fucking Old House" / Rambling Open Thread

Rambling Open Thread

by | 97 Comments

This post is in: ,

I’m tired. It was 100000 degrees today again, and the humidity was horrible. It just sucks the life out of you. Tomorrow is another long day because I have to head up to Pittsburgh to take Lily to chemo (three weeks just flies by). But at least she is still alive and super happy, and, as you can see, right where she is supposed to be as I write this:

I think I am going to take the people at PVSEC some tomatoes tomorrow. Who doesn’t love tomatoes?

I’m also rushing to get everything done before leaving for the beach next Friday (and if one more asshole mentions the fucking tropical storm trying to put the kaibosh on me I am gonna cut someone). Just so much to do and so little time.

I spoke with Alain the other day and we put the brakes on whatever site changes he had in mind. Other than maintenance and maybe fixing the edit function, we’re not doing anything for a couple weeks. I’ve spoken with a couple of the older (I don’t mean age) commenters who offered to help with the front end stuff, and we are looking for a targeted roll out of around October 15th. Two priorities are a solution for the video ads and the comment system, but there is a bunch of other stuff that needs to be fixed and changed. As I was telling others, I would love nothing more than to go back to 2007 and have this:

But we just can’t. With so many different mobile sites, etc., it’s just impossible. The other reason things are such a pain in the ass is because I refuse to use offsite commenting. I do that for some very real reasons. This website is an archive of us. Our interactions, our conversations, our thoughts. We’ve gone through too many personal emergencies and life events for all those to just disappear, and that isn’t even going into all the funny things people have said. I want it to stay that way, and I can not guarantee the safety of comments on an external site. The other reason is because I will refuse to comply with any requests from the authorities to give up usernames, emails, and ip addresses. That’s just not going to happen.

So, it limits us in some ways.

The other problem (for me, at least) is replicating the problems some of you encounter. I had my boot drive crash the other day, replaced it, and had a clean windows install. I installed malwarebytes, which is always the first thing I install, then downloaded chrome, firefox, safari, etc. I then checked Balloon Juice with clean installs of them all, reloaded and refreshed multiple times, and I never got an audio ad. I never got an ad stretching outside the borders.

That doesn’t mean I don’t trust you that it is happening- my own brother got an audio ad last week and texted me. It’s just it makes it really hard to address when you can’t see it happening or replicate it. And I know how annoying it is. Fucking CNN with those god damned autoplay clips drives me god damned mental. So I am working on it. I don’t want you all having a lousy time here.

At any rate, we’re going to fix some things and upgrade some things and you all will have a say, but it just isn’t going to happen right now. Alain has a lot of shit going on, I have a bunch of shit going on, and it will take a little time.

So that’s that. Have a little faith in me, I give you my word I will not fuck this up. I love this shitty little website as much as you all do. And I just realized I forgot to turn the damned sprinkler off.

Reader Interactions

97Comments

  2. 2.

    TenguPhule

    On Tuesday, however, BuzzFeed published two new emails from Musk, in which he called a journalist who has written about the dispute a “fucking asshole” and he launched new extraordinary claims against Unsworth, without providing documentation to support the allegations.

    Musk called Unsworth a “single white guy from England who’s been traveling to or living in Thailand for 30 to 40 years”, alleging that he had moved to Chiang Rai “for a child bride who was about 12 years old at the time”. He asserted that the city was “renowned for child sex-trafficking”.

    Elon Musk calls Thailand diver ‘child rapist’ in latest baseless attack

    Elon Musk: HOLD MY SMALLBREW ORGANIC BEER, BITCHES!

  5. 5.

    Ruckus

    Sounds like every other day I’ve ever spent in West by god Virginia. Which has been a few.
    Whatever you want to do with the site is great. It’s your site to do with as you please.

  6. 6.

    TenguPhule

    Have a little faith in me, I give you my word I will not fuck this up.

    Narrator’s Voice: John Cole then proceeded to fuck things up.

  8. 8.

    Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom

    Gods be thanked! For 3 days in a row, I could not connect, and I have no idea why. Now I finally can and I hope it stays this way. While I’m much more of a lurker than anything else, I missed this snarling pack of jackals.

  9. 9.

    What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?

    Thanks for all the hard work (you and Alain and the rest of the main pagers, along with multi-majors) for keeping this shitty little website going. We love it too.

  10. 10.

    TenguPhule

    I’m also rushing to get everything done before leaving for the beach next Friday (and if one more asshole mentions the fucking tropical storm trying to put the kaibosh on me I am gonna cut someone).

    Have you checked to make sure the willow isn’t too close to the storm?

  16. 16.

    Baud

    The other reason is because I will refuse to comply with any requests from the authorities to give up usernames, emails, and ip addresses. That’s just not going to happen.

    Does that mean we’re officially the dark web?

  25. 25.

    B.B.A.

    Today’s MA primary shows a major drawback to single-member districts. Mike Capuano and Ayanna Pressley are both talented politicians and strong liberal Democrats. Ideally they would both serve in Congress rather than run against each other.

  26. 26.

    Enzymer

    “And I just realized I forgot to turn the damned sprinkler off.” Ah John you are a man after my own forgetfulness.

  27. 27.

    FlyingToaster

    Thanks from the other end of the heat wave — my lungs felt like they were going to collapse while I trailed the rest of Chez Toaster going to vote in the MA primary this morning (8:30am, 85°F, on Sept fucking 4th? WHY???). We have one more day (first day of school), before it’s supposed to break. I hope.

  32. 32.

    karen marie

    If I were ten years younger, John Cole, you would not be able to get me off your lawn without police assistance.

  35. 35.

    Doug R

    Please please please get rid of clickbait between the post and the comments on the mobile site and I promise to turn off adblock on my phone. That taboola rack is intolerable.

  37. 37.

    TenguPhule

    @schrodingers_cat:

    and then was canvasing for one of the write-in candidate for state senate to replace Stan Rosenberg.

    How was the reception? Friendly? Indifferent? Border line crazy?

  38. 38.

    Gin & Tonic

    Sort of excited, as I’m scheduled to take delivery tomorrow of a new (to me) car, which we’re buying from a family friend. 2012 Subaru Outback (Cole-ish), but since our friend has spent over a decade stationed overseas and has had the car in places where she had no need and/or no ability to drive long distances, it has only 26k miles. I think it’s been around the globe, but in shipping containers. Superbly cared for, it looks really nice. I’d owned an el-cheapo Subaru wagon many (many!) years ago, but that one was literally the color of shit and had at some point had a small animal expire somewhere in the ventilation system, so it smelled awful. This new one is, I’m sure, a major improvement.

    And no, like Cole, I am not a lesbian.

  40. 40.

    Hkedi [Kang T. Q.]

    One thing that I’ve discovered that works really well for a High heat/High humidity situation (other than A.C.) if you aren’t moving enough. The trick is to get a large stock making pot, washtub, or mini-kiddie pool, fill it with cold water (some ice cubes can help) and soak your feet in it. It will wick enough heat away to make things comfortable. Very old school, but it works.

  41. 41.

    TenguPhule

    Hours after The Washington Post first reported several key incidents from Woodward’s book, “Fear,” the administration mounted a vigorous string of public denials, with statements from top advisers — White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders — as well as from Trump’s former personal attorney John Dowd.

    Mattis called the book “fiction,” and Sanders denounced the tome in a statement as “nothing more than fabricated stories, many by former disgruntled employees” without disputing any of the specifics that have been reported in excerpts.

    Somebody has both the tapes and receipts.

  43. 43.

    schrodingers_cat

    @TenguPhule: Pretty friendly! Some people were just shy and a bit standoffish. There were a bunch of us, including one woman who was one of the contestants for the state representative race. This was outside the elementary school in town. Our town selectman who is a friend and the head of our town Ds was also there. My only complaint was that it was too hot.

  44. 44.

    NotMax

    I give you my word I will not fuck this up

    (Heads over to Amazon to price tenterhooks.)

    ;)

    we are looking for a targeted roll out of around October 15th

    Bets that turns out to be the day Mueller lowers one or more big booms?

  45. 45.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    I don’t know to what extent this is actually a surprise, but… Yowza!

    WGBH News @ wgbhnews
    BREAKING: AyannaPressley wins race for Massachusetts’ 7th congressional district,
    in an upset victory over incumbent mikecapuano:

  47. 47.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Doug R: I hear ya but yesterday I had one that said “Don Knotts Kept This Secret For Years!” with a split picture of Aunt Bea and either Marilyn Monroe or a woman who was trying to look like her and goddam I wanted to click and find out what that secret was

  49. 49.

    Patricia Kayden

    @TenguPhule: lol. Why are you so pessimistic? I notice that my name and email disappear each time I comment even though I click the “save my name” box. Apart from that everything here is perfect. It’s truly a great forum. Helps me keep my sanity during the Trump nightmare.

  50. 50.

    JCJ

    @Gin & Tonic:

    And no, like Cole, I am not a lesbian.

    I bought.a Subaru five years ago and the first thing my (gay) brother said when he saw it was “when did you become a lesbian?” I told him that there is a secret quota of straight males allowed into the dealership every month.

  51. 51.

    Ruckus

    @Hkedi [Kang T. Q.]:
    When young we had no AC, not at home, not at work, not in the cars. But a neighbor used to do a trick that worked surprisingly well. A nice fan some where near the corner of the room with a bowl of ice cubes in front of it. Kind of like a mini swamp cooler, it would keep the room surprisingly comfortable.
    Speaking of swamp coolers I had one for my shop when I was on the edge of the high desert. It would knock 20 deg off the outside temp. Of course the humidity was usually single digits when it was over 90. Unlike now when the humidity in Pasadena is 71%

  52. 52.

    dww44

    Cole, you are so funny. This is why this is the first place I visit each day and why the cadre of commenters are just the best and most humane and kind group I’ve ever met (mostly read) online

  56. 56.

    Mary G

    I never seem to get the video issues that people complain about either – I wonder if it’s their ISP? I would like the edit back, and for my nym to be remembered for longer, but for what I pay Balloon Juice is great value and I don’t think I would make it through this administration without the jackals. So many people around me just give me a blank stare when I talk about Twitler, and I have been told to give it a rest more than once.

    The teen got picked up by the police again Sunday, although this time with no tickets, but he announced to his mother that he had drunk two beers and smoked weed and would not stop. Then he ran away last night and didn’t go to school today. It’s like Jekyll and Hyde or a roller coaster with that one and I am so disappointed and worried.

  57. 57.

    TenguPhule

    @Patricia Kayden:

    Why are you so pessimistic?

    Have you read about John Cole’s many many many little accidents here?

    My particular favorite was the time he got stuck on a roof and had to call his mother for help.

    And then there was the naked mopping incident.

    I know a flag when I see one.

  58. 58.

    Zelma

    Thank you for the site. We who depend on it for our sanity sometimes take for granted the amount of work that maintaining Balloon Juice entails. You and Alain and MMM are much appreciated.

  59. 59.

    ByRookorbyCrook

    As NotMax said indictments coming out Oct 15. Murphy-The Trickster god demands it.
    I also am glad for this community. I mostly lurk, but it keeps me sane.

  60. 60.

    TenguPhule

    @Mary G:

    The teen got picked up by the police again Sunday, although this time with no tickets, but he announced to his mother that he had drunk two beers and smoked weed and would not stop. Then he ran away last night and didn’t go to school today.

    is this the one that’s supposed to be on medication or the one just being a complete asshole?

  61. 61.

    Amir Khalid

    It was 100000 degrees today again, and …

    I’ve told you a million times, don’t exaggerate.

    (I just love the classic lame jokes, don’t you?)

  64. 64.

    TenguPhule

    @NotMax:

    “Explain why being roasted is an improvement over being boiled.”

    to which the proper response is “Have you ever eaten a boiled steak before?”

  68. 68.

    Soprano2

    Hated to do it, because I know ads help pay for the site, but I had to install an ad blocker on the Firefox browser on my phone. The site is almost unusable without it.

  74. 74.

    Libby Spencer

    I know I don’t hang around in the comments like I used to but I have loved this site from the ancient days when I was shouting at Cole and that guy at Outside the Beltway from the other side of the fence. Loved every iteration of this page. The old thing I miss the most is the rolling tag lines that used to scroll under the header every time you refreshed. Those were so fun.

  77. 77.

    Another Scott

    @Libby Spencer: The taglines are still there. In blue text. They fade out and are replaced by a fresh one every ~ 5 seconds.

    I agree with everyone else, JC. Thanks for all you do here, and for trying to make FYWP behave itself.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  84. 84.

    Kdaug

    Once in a great while, Cole, you remind me of why I love this place. The 2007 site was a great(ly frustratingly hardcore rambunctious sort-of-insane) place, and remembered fondly.

    But your dedication to the ethic of personal privacy…. that’s a stand above. It ain’t what keeps me coming back here, and it does make meetups in meatspace a little weird, but it’s appreciated.

    “Cudlips of the Brick Oven, unite!”

  86. 86.

    Joy in FL

    I appreciate this site so much.
    I wish Lily and you well tomorrow. I’m so glad she is here.
    I just donated a little via the Paypal button to express my appreciation. Thanks, John, and all who make this place work.

  87. 87.

    The Very Reverend Crimson Fire of Compassion

    Co-signed, by a mostly lurker who NEEDS this pack of jackals these days. Thank you!

  88. 88.

    Amir Khalid

    @Miss Bianca:
    While you’re here …
    I am considering an amplifier upgrade from my itty-bitty Fender 20-watter to something more like what my Tele, Strat, and Les Paul deserve. I’m looking at solid-state 100-watters; they seem to have the kind of feature set I want (which, I must admit, includes looking impressive). I’m thinking of the Marshall Code 100, the Fender Mustang GT-100, the Blackstar ID Core 100, and the Fender Champion 100. Any advice?

  89. 89.

    Ohio Mom

    @Mary G: I don’t have any words of wisdom, just sympathy. Parenting is hard, and it is a miracle of nature that anybody survives their teen years. Please keep us posted.

    On a completely different note, I am happy every time the Balloon Juice page opens; I remember a few dark days when it didn’t. I can live with re-entering my nym and email but not without this corner of blogtopia.

  90. 90.

    joel hanes

    Cole :

    > malwarebytes

    This may be blocking some of the abusive ads seen by others.
    Not everyone uses it; not everyone can.

    Have you looked at the malwarebytes logs for your own blog to see
    what, if anything, it’s blocking in the ads ?

    Yah, I know, I’m teaching my grandmother to suck eggs.
    My apologies in advance if, as seems quite likely, you’re already all over this.

  92. 92.

    Julie/juju

    Where in the OBX will you be staying. Northern, middle or southern? I’m on Hatteras island right now. It’s beautiful here now. I was blissfully unaware of any storms that were headed this way. I know about the one in the gulf, but didn’t know about Florence. Don’t worry about Florence, it’s too soon to know the path. She will or won’t hit the area. If you need anything or any help should things get windy, let me know, I live inland.

  93. 93.

    Aleta

    *The other reason things are such a pain in the ass is because I refuse to use offsite commenting. I do that for some very real reasons. This website is an archive of us. … I want it to stay that way, and I can not guarantee the safety of comments on an external site. The other reason is because I will refuse to comply with any requests from the authorities to give up usernames, emails, and ip addresses. That’s just not going to happen.

    So, it limits us in some ways.*

    I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this, the protectiveness and safety and all. And how community and keeping things simple have priority over all the possible whistles of fun in website new design. In other fields I’ve noticed how created things that combine good people and art and ideas and fun are sort of like sirens calling out to be tweaked and played with–ideas for how to make it better and run smoother just spring up naturally in people. It takes energy to preserve something that’s hard to explain and easy to kill.

    Also how you offer the tolerance and freedom needed for writers and readers to feel at ease. It’s so rare since human nature tries to have clubs that define who belongs and who’s excluded. It seems your belief is everyone is welcome and that’s a huge thing, like putting people a big open field. Thank you for it.

  94. 94.

    sgrAstar

    Echoing what everyone else is saying, O Blogfather. Thank you x 10^n where n is an extremely large number!

  97. 97.

    Barb 2

    Lilly you are the best of the best doggly! You’ve got a super Dad and a whole lot of people who love you.

    My beloved basenj also had the same illness you have – people who should have been supportive were not. So your Dad is lucky that this is a different place and folks here understand and love dogglies. Of course Dog means God and thus dogs are super important. Just so you understand!

    Thank you, John, for keeping us updated on Lilly’s journey!

Comments are closed.