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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Friday Afternoon Open Thread

Friday Afternoon Open Thread

by John Cole|  June 16, 20233:13 pm| 85 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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Here is a picture of Steve in his end table/bed/box:

Friday Afternoon Open Thread 3

Loading up the family truckster in a little bit to make the three hour trek to Cleveland Airport and back to pick up the other half. She’s flying in there because it was a boatload cheaper than heading into Pittsburgh, and both of us are on a budget because we have a lot of expenses coming up and I still need a god damned roof done plus retirement is right down the road and we both make the same amount or less than last year but it’s worth a shitload less because our corporate overlords suck and fuck Ronald Reagan. Phew. Had to get that venom out of my system.

At any rate, this is her first two week vacation in forever, and we have lots of plans and fun things to do (or she alleges they will be fun, I will reserve judgment until afterwards). I’m like a midwesterner when it comes to driving and can do three hours standing on my head, but I’m curious to see how the missus behaves. Since we plan to drive to Arizona from Bethany this Christmas to move a bunch of stuff to the winter chateau, three hours will be a good test run. I’m sure she will be fine, although if she isn’t I have a tarp and rope in the back and will Aunt Edna her ass to the roof for the remainder of the drive.

I’m excited to see her and I am sure Thurston (who adores her because she gives him the NONSTOP ATTENTION HE CRAVES) will be over the moon. I’ll give you all an update tomorrow.

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Reader Interactions

85Comments

  1. 1.

    raven

    June 16, 2023 at 3:14 pm

    The doggie trainer will be her in a minute to see if we can help our little PTSD girly!

  2. 2.

    Baud

    June 16, 2023 at 3:15 pm

    although if she isn’t I have a tarp and rope in the back and will Aunt Edna her ass to the roof for the remainder of the drive.

    Reminds me of Seamus.

  3. 3.

    No One You Know

    June 16, 2023 at 3:17 pm

    “…we have a lot of expenses coming up and I still need a god damned roof done plus retirement is right down the road and we both make the same amount or less than last year but it’s worth a shitload less because our corporate overlords suck and fuck Ronald Reagan.”

    I hear ya. The lifestyle I ordered has been out of stock for years.

  4. 4.

    satby

    June 16, 2023 at 3:19 pm

    Tell herself hey from me, and the rest of this disreputable lot. You blogging more is like an early wedding present  for us, so you’ll need to do an Amazon registry so we can return the favor.

  5. 5.

    raven

    June 16, 2023 at 3:19 pm

    Damn, as many times as I flew into Pittsburg to take the “Wheeling Limo” to Oglebay Park I had no idea Cleveland was that close. The Wheeling Limo was big Checker Cab with a steel plate welded to the undercarriage because of the world class potholes on 79!

  6. 6.

    satby

    June 16, 2023 at 3:20 pm

    @raven: aww, good luck to you and the pretty girl.

  7. 7.

    Baud

    June 16, 2023 at 3:21 pm

    @raven:

    🤞

  8. 8.

    NotMax

    June 16, 2023 at 3:24 pm

    Since we plan to drive to Arizona from Bethany this Christmas

    This week, on Ultimate Test of Fidelity….
    :)

  9. 9.

    RaflW

    June 16, 2023 at 3:31 pm

    “I’m like a midwesterner when it comes to driving.” This explains a lot in terms of my family. Paternal grands were from KS, and birthed my uncle and dad in MN. All were happy to do 10 hour/day road trips. And the apple has fallen directly below the tree.

    I have, more than once, driven 14 hours and then picked my partner up at the Denver airport! I honestly didn’t mind either time, it was better use of his to be working in Mpls the extra day, and I wanted to save the outrageous rental car fees at the Denver end of the trip.

  10. 10.

    Betty Cracker

    June 16, 2023 at 3:32 pm

    @raven: Great photo!

    I’ve written about our dog situation a few times, and after all that, I now believe almost anything is possible in dog behavior modification if you’re patient, consistent and use positive training methods. Good luck! 

  11. 11.

    glory b

    June 16, 2023 at 3:33 pm

    Right now I’m in my office in downtown Pittsburgh, waiting until the time I can call it a day while listening to reports of the Taylor Swift hoards enveloping the city. A coworker says the WAZE traffic map shows all roads into the city and the North Shore (location of the stadium) as solid red.

     

    Pray for me to whatever entity floats your boat.

  12. 12.

    Elizabelle

    June 16, 2023 at 3:34 pm

    @raven:  Such a good girl. Great photo.

  13. 13.

    Sure Lurkalot

    June 16, 2023 at 3:38 pm

    @raven: What a beauty! Hope the trainer has good advice to calm her soul.

  14. 14.

    schrodingers_cat

    June 16, 2023 at 3:38 pm

    Where did you get the cat thingie from? I am interested in getting it for my kitteh. Have a safe trip and a great vacation with the missus.

    In other news, INC spokeswoman from Karnataka, Lavanya Ballal, started following me on Twitter!

    After I posted a pic in solidarity with her. She was being trolled by BJP’s troll army for wearing lipstick.

  15. 15.

    schrodingers_cat

    June 16, 2023 at 3:41 pm

    @glory b: *Waves*, how have you been?

  16. 16.

    NotMax

    June 16, 2023 at 3:41 pm

    @RaflW

    Once drove straight through (other than gas and potty stops) 21 hours from St. Paul to NYC during Christmastime break.

  17. 17.

    FastEdD

    June 16, 2023 at 3:44 pm

    My friend Dave used to refer to his wife as “his larger half” and she would slap him.

    They got along well.

  18. 18.

    nickdag

    June 16, 2023 at 3:47 pm

    Can someone help me out here?

    I thought I had read all of Cole’s posts (b/c who doesn’t like a righteous rant?), but I don’t remember any talk of a romantic partner.

    Now in the past week, there are references to a significant other. When did this all happen? What did I miss?!

  19. 19.

    NotMax

    June 16, 2023 at 3:52 pm

    @nickdag

    From February last.

    https://balloon-juice.com/2023/02/15/howdy-folks/

  20. 20.

    Sure Lurkalot

    June 16, 2023 at 3:54 pm

    Spouse and I recently did Denver-St Louis and back driving trip. 12 hours, we split in 2 days each way. I drove about 2 hours the first day, then got turned down every time I offered to take over. I am not a bad driver but I wear glasses that darken outdoors and so, no sunglasses in the car. It is not optimal on bright sunny days.

    We have another occasion in September, which would be a 12 hour drive each way again. We’re pondering. I just found an old pair of prescription sunglasses that aren’t progressive but would probably be fine for driving. I’m going to check them out if the sun ever returns to Denver skies.

  21. 21.

    Alison Rose

    June 16, 2023 at 3:56 pm

    John, I have a hard time imagining you spending any time in Arizona, even in the winter. Bonne chance and all that.

  22. 22.

    MomSense

    June 16, 2023 at 4:05 pm

    Wait is she already the missus?  I thought this was happening soon but I didn’t realize she already made an honest man out of you!

    Counting down the minutes until this shitshow of a work day/week is over.  One of my mom friends (three of us met and became best buds and interchangeable parental units) when our oldest kids were infants.  One of the boys is getting married on Saturday and we are all going to be together for the wedding and the pre wedding party tonight. We’ve been through a lot in 30 years but it still feels like the time has flown by.

  23. 23.

    CaseyL

    June 16, 2023 at 4:06 pm

    I love it that you already sound like someone who’s been married for decades.

    But what is this winter chateau in Arizona you speak of? Did you and Joelle spend the honeymoon house hunting?  What manner of vehicle will you make the seasonal treks in, considering that you’ll be carrying a menagerie  of tempermental and imperious critters with you?

  24. 24.

    cain

    June 16, 2023 at 4:07 pm

    lol – I’m going to have to get used to John even having a ‘missus’ much less referring to her. Glad that you all are settling on that life together – makes me super happy !

    Meanwhile, last week, I forgot to tell you all, I have 2 more cats – we are a 4 cat household. Welcome to ZIggy and Zoey – both about 3 motnhs old and growing even in the week we’ve had her. They are now introduced to the other two velociraptors and so far things are great.. they’ve been hiding out in our bedroom and today is the first day had all day freedom after having a few play dates with Luv and Kush. SO far so good – although, my two black house panthers are now spending all their time in our bedroom because it is filled with kitten scent and they’ve always believed that was their hangout place :D

  25. 25.

    BlueGuitarist

    June 16, 2023 at 4:08 pm

    verdict: guilty on all 63 counts for shooter at Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue.

  26. 26.

    Another Scott

    June 16, 2023 at 4:08 pm

    @schrodingers_cat: Well done, s_c!

    From the brand marking at the lower left corner of the box, it seems to be from here. Interesting stuff.

    Good luck, JC!

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  27. 27.

    cain

    June 16, 2023 at 4:10 pm

    @MomSense: I just assumed that he’s already mentally married and is already referring to her as the partner.

  28. 28.

    LifeInTheBonusRound

    June 16, 2023 at 4:14 pm

    I am old enough to remember Cole from one of his earlier incarnations, and thus find his metamorphosis almost miraculous. And I’m also young enough to remember one of my earlier incarnations (“I ain’t looking fer anybody no how”) and appreciate the ineluctable slide to “let’s do this.”

    I’m so happy to be a witness to all Balloon Juice and Cole have to offer. Mazel tov!

  29. 29.

    piratedan

    June 16, 2023 at 4:16 pm

    well driving to Arizona should be fun, lots of country to see along the way, some of it is likely to be quite pretty depending upon the route.

    Let us know if you’re coming thru Tucson, could direct you to some quality dining establishments :-)

  30. 30.

    trollhattan

    June 16, 2023 at 4:17 pm

    We were discussing the Star Trek “Strange New Worlds” the other day and I watched S2E1 last night. Not only does it not slip a bit from the excellent first season, Carol Frickin’ Kane is in it! Knew the voice and attitude before I recognized her, but anyway, she’s reason enough to watch pretty much anything.

    No idea if she’ll be a recurring character, fingers crossed.

  31. 31.

    trollhattan

    June 16, 2023 at 4:19 pm

    @Alison Rose: At the very least if you gotta go, go in winter.

  32. 32.

    Gin & Tonic

    June 16, 2023 at 4:25 pm

    Since personal stuff has kept me off-line more than usual, except for the Ukraine threads, I seem to have missed a lot of information. At any rate, here’s hoping you don’t have to use the tarp and rope – it’s my understanding that the police don’t like that very much.

  33. 33.

    Old School

    June 16, 2023 at 4:29 pm

    @nickdag:

    I thought I had read all of Cole’s posts (b/c who doesn’t like a righteous rant?), but I don’t remember any talk of a romantic partner.

    That’s because there hasn’t been any of talk of that.

    But don’t worry, I expect John and Joelle will be celebrating their 5th anniversary and people will be asking, “Wait – what have I missed?”

  34. 34.

    Another Scott

    June 16, 2023 at 4:29 pm

    Meanwhile, … VOANews.com:

    Can you pay my bills?

    That seems to be what Sweden is asking Beyoncé after the star came to town.

    When the singer launched her global tour last month in Stockholm, tens of thousands of fans from around the world swarmed the Swedish capital. But it’s not all fun and games for the host of the kickoff of Beyoncé’s first solo tour in seven years.

    A senior economist at a top Scandinavian bank says Beyoncé had something to do with Sweden’s higher-than-expected inflation rate last month.

    Consumer prices rose 9.7% last month in Sweden compared with a year earlier, the country’s statistics agency, Statistics Sweden, said Wednesday. Costs for certain goods and services, including hotels, rose.

    That was a drop from 10.5% in April — the first time that inflation in Sweden has fallen below 10% in more than six months — but it was still slightly higher than economists had predicted.

    Michael Grahn, chief economist for Sweden at Danske Bank, thinks Beyoncé’s concert may help explain why.

    “Beyonce’s start of her world tour in Sweden seems to have coloured May inflation,” he said on Twitter on Wednesday.

    “How much is uncertain,” he added, but the concert “probably” contributed to 0.2 of the 0.3 percentage points that restaurant and hotel prices added to the monthly increase in inflation.

    […]

    Like a queen in chess, she’s very powerful.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  35. 35.

    mrmoshpotato

    June 16, 2023 at 4:29 pm

    and fuck Ronald Reagan

    Evergreen!

  36. 36.

    mrmoshpotato

    June 16, 2023 at 4:32 pm

    Since we plan to drive to Arizona from Bethany this Christmas

    Woah!

  37. 37.

    BigJimSlade

    June 16, 2023 at 4:32 pm

    Just glancing at the picture, before I took in what it was, my first thought was that I was reminded of a book I had as a kid – Sylvester The Mouse With The Musical Ear (an ebay link was the first good picture I saw, so that’s why it’s an ebay link).

  38. 38.

    Quaker in a Basement

    June 16, 2023 at 4:37 pm

    Apparently I have been out of the loop on Cole-related program activities. A missus?

    Whatever. You’re gonna be great at it, John. Your dedication to the community you have built requires all the same qualities needed for a successful, happy marriage. Mazel tov.

  39. 39.

    Steeplejack

    June 16, 2023 at 4:41 pm

    @raven:

    Good luck!

  40. 40.

    UncleEbeneezer

    June 16, 2023 at 4:43 pm

    @Another Scott: Next time the GOP tries to blame Biden for Inflation!!1!, it would be kind of funny if he responded “don’t look at me, talk to Beyonce”

  41. 41.

    David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch

    June 16, 2023 at 4:53 pm

    Space Force unveils new stealth drone featuring a silent propulsion engine (photo)

  42. 42.

    Matt McIrvin

    June 16, 2023 at 4:58 pm

    @FastEdD: One of They Might Be Giants’ many breakup songs, “I’ll Sink Manhattan”, mentions someone calling her boyfriend “my lower half”.

  43. 43.

    Steeplejack

    June 16, 2023 at 4:58 pm

    @Sure Lurkalot:

    I guess you’ve got those “transition” glasses that automatically darken and lighten? They always make me think of South American generals involved in coups.

    But you mentioned prescription sunglasses. One of my best purchases ever, on the advice of (now retired) ophthalmologist Bro’ Man, was a pair of prescription sunglasses that I keep in the car for driving. Key phrase: polarized gray 3. They do a phenomenal job of cutting glare and protecting your eyes without cutting visibility or affecting color very much. They’re so good that often I forget to change glasses when I go in a store and I’m like “Why is it a little dark in here?” Highly recommended.

  44. 44.

    rikyrah

    June 16, 2023 at 5:01 pm

    “I’m like a midwesterner when it comes to driving.”

    I think it’s a Southern thing as a Black person. But, I understand what you mean.

  45. 45.

    raven

    June 16, 2023 at 5:02 pm

    It went well, simple “touch” and “focus” work and the trainer believes Artie is a really sweet do with (drumroll) PTSD!  She said “confidence” probable 20 times and that’s what we’re going to try to help her with

    ($25 veterans discount)!

  46. 46.

    UncleEbeneezer

    June 16, 2023 at 5:02 pm

    Question for Jackals: can you be in a social relationship with a Forced Birther?  I was in a really good band ten years ago that I loved but after we broke up I found out the lead singer is very anti-abortion.  There’s been talk of a reunion to play at a party at the end of Summer but I’m pretty passionately Pro-Choice and I’m just not sure if I can do it, especially after Dobbs.

  47. 47.

    nickdag

    June 16, 2023 at 5:05 pm

    @NotMax: Thank you!

    Now that you pointed out that post (and I reread it), it does sound familiar. Though, I guess I didn’t take it too seriously at the time. My mistake!

    Yay for Cole!

  48. 48.

    Roger Moore

    June 16, 2023 at 5:06 pm

    @CaseyL:

    But what is this winter chateau in Arizona you speak of?

    I assume this is Joelle’s house.  She does live in another state, and they’re planning on living mostly apart for a while.  It makes sense for her to keep her existing home and for Cole to visit when the weather in Arizona is likely to be nicer than in West Virginia.

  49. 49.

    UncleEbeneezer

    June 16, 2023 at 5:08 pm

    Anyone else been watching The Days on Netflix?  It’s the fictionalized account of the Fukushima earthquake/tsunami and nuclear disaster.  As far as disaster depictions go it’s really intense and will have you on the edge of your seat or feeling serious discomfort much of the time.  Not sure if it is a prestige-level series like Chernobyl (which was probably the best of this genre and I would rate as a must-watch for everyone when you have a chance) but it is well done and addictive.

  50. 50.

    Alison Rose

    June 16, 2023 at 5:09 pm

    @UncleEbeneezer: Nope. I cannot and will not be friends with anyone who thinks they and/or the state should have the right to decide what I or anyone else with a uterus does with it. Anyone who supports anti-choice politicians supports people with uteruses being subservient to the government, and that’s a pile of bullshit.

  51. 51.

    Steeplejack

    June 16, 2023 at 5:10 pm

    @mrmoshpotato:

    Google Maps says roughly 2,000 miles, 30-35 hours.

  52. 52.

    zhena gogolia

    June 16, 2023 at 5:10 pm

    @raven: Great!

  53. 53.

    Old School

    June 16, 2023 at 5:12 pm

    @UncleEbeneezer:

    Question for Jackals: can you be in a social relationship with a Forced Birther?

    Obviously, it depends on the individual, but I say yes.  There’s any number of issues where you can agree to disagree and still remain cordial towards each other.

    But if it is a red-line issue for you personally, it might not be able to be done.

  54. 54.

    Roger Moore

    June 16, 2023 at 5:13 pm

    @UncleEbeneezer: ​
     

    Question for Jackals: can you be in a social relationship with a Forced Birther?

    You can be; it’s up to you. You have to ask your own conscience what seems right to you. I sympathize if you want to tell the person you can’t associate with someone with their political beliefs. Just be prepared for them to whine about how you’re making everything political.

  55. 55.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 16, 2023 at 5:16 pm

    @UncleEbeneezer: Against it personally?  Or interested in making decisions for others?  There is a difference.

  56. 56.

    mrmoshpotato

    June 16, 2023 at 5:18 pm

    @FastEdD:

    My friend Dave used to refer to his wife as “his larger half” and she would slap him. 

    They got along well.

    That was a good laugh.  Thank you!

  57. 57.

    Geminid

    June 16, 2023 at 5:18 pm

    @piratedan: I think any road trip that takes you through New Mexico is a good road trip. The Land of Enchantment.

  58. 58.

    Sister Golden Bear

    June 16, 2023 at 5:21 pm

    although if she isn’t I have a tarp and rope in the back and will Aunt Edna her ass to the roof for the remainder of the drive.

    You could go all Road Warrior and strap her to the front grill. Less chance that she’d be blown off the hood, but the face mask  will be necessary for the bugs.

  59. 59.

    Doc Sardonic

    June 16, 2023 at 5:21 pm

    @UncleEbeneezer: Not sure that I could. I can sometimes agree to disagree, but if it is something like abortion or any other issue that restricts the right of a fellow human being, that might limit my agreeableness. I guess the determining factor would be a conversation with the lead singer and if he can can function as a singer after getting cracked upside the melon with a clue x ‘Strat

  60. 60.

    suzanne

    June 16, 2023 at 5:23 pm

    When I drove from Phoenix to Pittsburgh, it was four days. The last day was stupid long. That was with kids and dogs and being really strict about not eating in restaurants due to COVID.

  61. 61.

    Tony Jay

    June 16, 2023 at 5:23 pm

    @Matt McIrvin:

    I’ve just been reading about Lilith, the sort of maybe mythological first wife of Adam, created by God to be his companion from exactly the same materials and in exactly the same way as Adam was.

    When Adam insisted on her ‘lying beneath him’ because he, as the first created, was obviously her superior, Lilith not only told Adam to go #€%# himself, she packed her bags and headed off to make her own way without a man or a God to boss her around.

    I like Lilith. The Bible is a lesser work for expunging her awesomeness.

  62. 62.

    Ken

    June 16, 2023 at 5:29 pm

    @Tony Jay: Neil Gaiman has an interesting interpretation of that in the Sandman story “The Parliament of Rooks”.

  63. 63.

    Tony Jay

    June 16, 2023 at 5:35 pm

    @Ken:

    I know I’ve read that, but it was many eons ago when days were longer and the world still knew hope.

    I’ll have to dig it out again. I like Gaiman quite a lot.

  64. 64.

    ellie

    June 16, 2023 at 5:36 pm

    The blogmaster is getting married? I didn’t realize he was seeing anyone. Congratulations!

  65. 65.

    UncleEbeneezer

    June 16, 2023 at 5:38 pm

    @Roger Moore: I was just curious where others here draw the line.  This guy was always a hard-core Catholic but he kept it to himself and never preached to others.  Honestly you wouldn’t even know it.   But that said, I really liked him, generally as a person and he is pretty liberal on everything else and we had really great song-writing chemistry together and it would be a chance to play some music that I’m personally very proud of (I wrote the music, he wrote the lyrics.  The lyrics aren’t political at all).  So the question really is whether I want to do one last jam bad enough or not.  It’s all about my conscience.

  66. 66.

    piratedan

    June 16, 2023 at 5:40 pm

    @Geminid: I would agree, I find New Mexico pretty awesome as well, just noting that a road trip with pets will take some time, just in the additional stress that comes with providing time for walkies, meals for everyone and places to stay.  Would also note that weather will obviously play a factor as well.  Still, for people back east, the vastness of the west and distance between places to stop and do the needful is a thing.

  67. 67.

    Sis

    June 16, 2023 at 5:45 pm

    @nickdag: I’m right there with you. And a missus? Did I miss a wedding post?

  68. 68.

    Suzanne

    June 16, 2023 at 5:47 pm

    @piratedan:

    Still, for people back east, the vastness of the west and distance between places to stop and do the needful is a thing. 

    It’s a thing. Stuck on the side of the highway in the middle of the damn desert, forty miles from anything…. is a thing.

    Arizona is beautiful in winter and spring. It’s just…. full of psychos.

  69. 69.

    CarolPW

    June 16, 2023 at 5:48 pm

    @Sister Golden Bear: Nah – on the roof with the big gun like Serenity.

  70. 70.

    Steeplejack

    June 16, 2023 at 5:48 pm

    @piratedan:

    Still, for people back east, the vastness of the west and distance between places to stop and do the needful is a thing.

    This really hit me on one transit long ago when I realized that it took me almost a whole day just to get across Nebraska. It can be hard to grasp how big (and empty) the western states are.

  71. 71.

    Dan B

    June 16, 2023 at 5:58 pm

    @Steeplejack:  If they go south to avoid winter storms they could spend more than a day driving across Texas.

  72. 72.

    Steeplejack

    June 16, 2023 at 6:01 pm

    @Dan B:

    Been there, done that.

  73. 73.

    Maxim

    June 16, 2023 at 6:07 pm

    @BlueGuitarist: Excellent.

    @BigJimSlade: I remember that book!

    @UncleEbeneezer: Social as in talk to, or as in play with? The former I could do if our paths crossed, though I wouldn’t seek them out; the latter would be much more difficult. Making music with someone, as you know, requires (or creates) a certain level of intimacy.

    ETA: posted before I saw your follow-up comment, obviously.

  74. 74.

    Jay

    June 16, 2023 at 6:10 pm

    @UncleEbeneezer:

    my attitude was always, if you can’t have an abortion because you are a male, SFTU.

  75. 75.

    Sure Lurkalot

    June 16, 2023 at 6:13 pm

    @Steeplejack: Dead thread but thanks for the advice! If my old ones really don’t work, I’ll check out “polarized gray 3” as you suggest.

  76. 76.

    Jay

    June 16, 2023 at 6:16 pm

    @Dan B:

    many years ago, flew into Dallas, rented a car to drive to South Padre*. The rental agent was all concerned because of the distance. 3 of us. Me, T and Kiki, who was going through another break up.

    BC Boy, in places here, that’s the distance between gas stations, and that’s if you stick to the highways and don’t go traipsing around the logging roads.

    *the bridge was out, so no spring break, empty hotels, empty beaches, just had to suck it up and take a passenger “ferry” across the bay.

  77. 77.

    LiminalOwl

    June 16, 2023 at 6:22 pm

    @Baud: you’re not the only one.

  78. 78.

    O. Felix Culpa

    June 16, 2023 at 6:41 pm

    @raven:

    Oh, I hope you and Artie make good progress with the trainer!

  79. 79.

    UncleEbeneezer

    June 16, 2023 at 7:23 pm

    @Maxim: It really comes down to: do I want his shitty view/position take away my joy of playing some music that I really love?  We all have a right to refuse to be cool with people with abhorrent views, but we also have the right to enjoy our own lives.  And sometimes enjoying them may require making nice with people we disagree with.  That’s kind of how I view these things nowadays.

  80. 80.

    WaterGirl

    June 16, 2023 at 7:24 pm

    Belatedly answering some of the questions…

    Cole and Joelle will be married in the fall of 2024.  No, we will not be invited. :-)

    Cole lives in WV, Joelle lives in AZ.   They will do some wintering in AZ.

  81. 81.

    HinTN

    June 16, 2023 at 7:45 pm

    @raven: I was in a weeks with of training in Pittsburgh and two of us loaded up and drove to Cleveland to see the Yankees visit the Indians. Pitching for the Bronx Bombers was Jim Abbott. Watching him manipulate that glove was amazing. He got shellacked, but this was the game before his no hitter. Fun times.

  82. 82.

    BruceFromOhio

    June 16, 2023 at 11:49 pm

    @NotMax: ​

    @nickdag: ​
     

    Thanks, I had the same question!

  83. 83.

    Another Scott

    June 17, 2023 at 9:47 am

    @UncleEbeneezer: @Alison Rose:

    Dead thread, but thought I’d thow my $0.02 in.

    Would your answer be different if you found out that his views on forced-birth had not changed since you played in the band with him?  Maybe he’s always been this way?

    Suzanne makes a good point upstairs – that the RWNJs want to trigger us. Living your life and taking pleasure from experiences, and not letting them live in your head and control your lizard brain, is the best revenge. It sets a good example for others, also too.

    I’m basically a hermit in the real world, so take all of this with a grain of salt, but as long as he’s not demanding that you agree, or forcing the conversation to be about incompatible politics, enjoy your time with him.

    To be clear, I understand the reticence. An amazing former colleague changed careers and I found out recently that she ended up clerking for a very RWNJ federal judge. It makes me go “WTF?!?” if I happen to think about her. It will be interesting to see how the conversation goes if we ever see her again – I suspect politics will not be part of it (it never was in the past).

    My $0.02.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  84. 84.

    BeaFitzAz

    June 17, 2023 at 2:19 pm

    Well played Mr John Cole very well played hope you have a great trip you deserve it all

  85. 85.

    Joelle

    June 17, 2023 at 8:52 pm

    @Dan B: I want to stop at that Texas steakhouse that has The Old 96er steak eating challenge and try to beat the clock.

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