Here is a picture of Steve in his end table/bed/box:
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.
raven
The doggie trainer will be her in a minute to see if we can help our little PTSD girly!
Baud
Reminds me of Seamus.
No One You Know
“…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.
satby
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.
raven
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!
satby
@raven: aww, good luck to you and the pretty girl.
Baud
@raven:
🤞
NotMax
This week, on Ultimate Test of Fidelity….
:)
RaflW
“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.
Betty Cracker
@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!
glory b
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.
Elizabelle
@raven: Such a good girl. Great photo.
Sure Lurkalot
@raven: What a beauty! Hope the trainer has good advice to calm her soul.
schrodingers_cat
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.
schrodingers_cat
@glory b: *Waves*, how have you been?
NotMax
@RaflW
Once drove straight through (other than gas and potty stops) 21 hours from St. Paul to NYC during Christmastime break.
FastEdD
My friend Dave used to refer to his wife as “his larger half” and she would slap him.
They got along well.
nickdag
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?!
NotMax
@nickdag
From February last.
https://balloon-juice.com/2023/02/15/howdy-folks/
Sure Lurkalot
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.
Alison Rose
John, I have a hard time imagining you spending any time in Arizona, even in the winter. Bonne chance and all that.
MomSense
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.
CaseyL
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?
cain
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
BlueGuitarist
verdict: guilty on all 63 counts for shooter at Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue.
Another Scott
@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.
cain
@MomSense: I just assumed that he’s already mentally married and is already referring to her as the partner.
LifeInTheBonusRound
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!
piratedan
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 :-)
trollhattan
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.
trollhattan
@Alison Rose: At the very least if you gotta go, go in winter.
Gin & Tonic
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.
Old School
@nickdag:
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?”
Another Scott
Meanwhile, … VOANews.com:
Like a queen in chess, she’s very powerful.
Cheers,
Scott.
mrmoshpotato
Evergreen!
mrmoshpotato
Woah!
BigJimSlade
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).
Quaker in a Basement
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.
Steeplejack
@raven:
Good luck!
UncleEbeneezer
@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”
David 🌈 ☘The Establishment☘🌈 Koch
Space Force unveils new stealth drone featuring a silent propulsion engine (photo)
Matt McIrvin
@FastEdD: One of They Might Be Giants’ many breakup songs, “I’ll Sink Manhattan”, mentions someone calling her boyfriend “my lower half”.
Steeplejack
@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.
rikyrah
I think it’s a Southern thing as a Black person. But, I understand what you mean.
raven
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)!
UncleEbeneezer
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.
nickdag
@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!
Roger Moore
@CaseyL:
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.
UncleEbeneezer
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.
Alison Rose
@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.
Steeplejack
@mrmoshpotato:
Google Maps says roughly 2,000 miles, 30-35 hours.
zhena gogolia
@raven: Great!
Old School
@UncleEbeneezer:
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.
Roger Moore
@UncleEbeneezer:
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.
Omnes Omnibus
@UncleEbeneezer: Against it personally? Or interested in making decisions for others? There is a difference.
mrmoshpotato
@FastEdD:
That was a good laugh. Thank you!
Geminid
@piratedan: I think any road trip that takes you through New Mexico is a good road trip. The Land of Enchantment.
Sister Golden Bear
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.
Doc Sardonic
@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
suzanne
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.
Tony Jay
@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.
Ken
@Tony Jay: Neil Gaiman has an interesting interpretation of that in the Sandman story “The Parliament of Rooks”.
Tony Jay
@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.
ellie
The blogmaster is getting married? I didn’t realize he was seeing anyone. Congratulations!
UncleEbeneezer
@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.
piratedan
@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.
Sis
@nickdag: I’m right there with you. And a missus? Did I miss a wedding post?
Suzanne
@piratedan:
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.
CarolPW
@Sister Golden Bear: Nah – on the roof with the big gun like Serenity.
Steeplejack
@piratedan:
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.
Dan B
@Steeplejack: If they go south to avoid winter storms they could spend more than a day driving across Texas.
Steeplejack
@Dan B:
Been there, done that.
Maxim
@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.
Jay
@UncleEbeneezer:
my attitude was always, if you can’t have an abortion because you are a male, SFTU.
Sure Lurkalot
@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.
Jay
@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.
LiminalOwl
@Baud: you’re not the only one.
O. Felix Culpa
@raven:
Oh, I hope you and Artie make good progress with the trainer!
UncleEbeneezer
@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.
WaterGirl
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.
HinTN
@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.
BruceFromOhio
@NotMax:
@nickdag:
Thanks, I had the same question!
Another Scott
@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.
BeaFitzAz
Well played Mr John Cole very well played hope you have a great trip you deserve it all
Joelle
@Dan B: I want to stop at that Texas steakhouse that has The Old 96er steak eating challenge and try to beat the clock.