Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Fucking consultants! (of the political variety)

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

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

An almost top 10,000 blog!

They don’t have outfits that big. nor codpieces that small.

At some point, the ability to learn is a factor of character, not IQ.

Mediocre white men think RFK Jr’s pathetic midlife crisis is inspirational. The bar is set so low for them, it’s subterranean.

Live so that if you miss a day of work people aren’t hoping you’re dead.

“A king is only a king if we bow down.” – Rev. William Barber

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

The media handbook says “controversial” is the most negative description that can be used for a Republican.

The desire to stay informed is directly at odds with the need to not be constantly enraged.

Wake up. Grow up. Get in the fight.

The republican speaker is a slippery little devil.

Dear media: perhaps we ought to let Donald Trump speak for himself!

White supremacy is terrorism.

Marge, god is saying you’re stupid.

Republicans: The threats are dire, but my tickets are non-refundable!

Well, whatever it is, it’s better than being a Republican.

Innocent people do not delay justice.

We can show the world that autocracy can be defeated.

Bark louder, little dog.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

American history and black history cannot be separated.

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

Wednesday Night Open Thread

by | 102 Comments

This post is in: 

I’m sort of out of it and not in the mood to say anything. Plus it is hot as hell to the point that my portable ac unit is struggling to keep my home office cold and the whole house is at 78 and the damned thing has been running all day. Sposed to be like this for a few.

I had forgotten this existed but was reminded this morning, and I feel morally obligated as a semi-pro blogger to share it with you:

I guess he, Ozzie, and Sharon were neighbors at some point and became rather fond of each other. I like weird friendships like that- Martha Stewart and Snoop, David Letterman and Richard Simmons, etc.

I have veered back into British detective series because the quality control is so much easier when picking a show. I mean it’s going to be good and will have dry humor and even if it isn’t, to borrow a phrase, your cup of tea, it will be better than 95% of the dreck on prime and netflix. Pleasantly surprised to learn that I had not seen Whitechapel before even though I could have sworn I did, but I am two episodes in and none of it is familiar, so I am pretty pleased about that. That means I have a solid week before having to choose another show.

Oh- the new Tyler the Creator album is out, and it is so thematically different from his previous albums and his new alter ego Big Poe is much more confident, upbeat, and with a lot of swagger. Some definite bops and a real continuous flow and feel up until the last two tracks. Definitely a keeper.

At any rate, I am in an abusive and codependent relationship with a large black cat who is currently screaming at me to feed him despite already having dinner and a snack when Gerald came over earlier, so I am going to fuck off downstairs and watch tv and ignore him, the jerk.

Reader Interactions

102Comments

  1. 1.

    Baud

    Your blog is breaking down. WaterGirl is working like mad to duct tape it back together.

  4. 4.

    bbleh

    I like the sound of “The Dreck Of Prime And Netflix.”  Sounds like … something Gothic.  Dark and even depressing, but if done in a classy way, intriguing in a sorta can’t-avert-my-eyes way.

  5. 5.

    Spanky

    I like weird friendships like that- Martha Stewart and Snoop, David Letterman and Richard Simmons, etc.

    Alice Cooper and Glen Campbell. Golfed and drank with each other all the time, until sobriety.

    I think they were neighbors of Suzanne’s in Phoenix.

  8. 8.

    zhena gogolia

    I don’t know if you like cozy British mysteries, but Ludwig is A+ in that genre.

  11. 11.

    Scout211

    @Baud: yeah, I spoke too soon. That was only momentary.  In fact, every time I leave the site and return, I get some different version of problems.  It’s up and down and wonky randomly.

  12. 12.

    Sister Golden Bear

    I mean it’s going to be good and will have dry humor and even if it isn’t, to borrow a phrase, your cup of tea, it will be better than 95% of the dreck on prime and netflix

    Not sure why but lunch definitely did not agree with me. Fortunately, nothing worse than a worse than nausea and a major stomach ache, but couldn’t focus so I spent the afternoon zoning out to nerdy short videos on YouTube.

  13. 13.

    Spanky

    Well this is weird, as I have noticed no wonkiness on my Android all day.

    Still, thanks WG

    (Until I got a Redis? error on this comment. )

  14. 14.

    Jackie

    @Scout211: I gave up on that thread. More “test” than actual comments. Plus frustration. I’m looking forward, not back lol

    WaterGirl is a mensch. I agree with Baud: Double her salary! :-D

  15. 15.

    hells littlest angel

    Vera

    Endeavour

    Inspector George Gently

    Shetland

    Line Of Duty (I think I can guarantee Cole will like this one.)

  18. 18.

    twbrandt

    @Spanky: I read somewhere (Sports Illustrated back when it was good maybe) that Alice Cooper coached his son’s soccer team, as suburban dads do. One of the kids came up to him and said “Coach Alice, I heard you were in a band?”

  19. 19.

    pieceofpeace

    Enjoy the show you’re watching.  It’s really a terrific mix of interesting procedural stuff and humor.  And it’s one that gets better as you go along.

    Absence was felt when last episode ended.

  20. 20.

    danielx

    @Baud:

    Reminds me that I’m still waiting for my Soros bucks.

    Starting to think my contract is about as worthless any contract Orange Jesus ever signed. Say it ain’t so!

  22. 22.

    lowtechcyclist

    @Spanky: ​

    Alice Cooper and Glen Campbell. Golfed and drank with each other all the time, until sobriety.

    Damn you, that’s the odd pairing I was going to mention! And hung out together afterwards too.

    There’s an interview of Alice Cooper on YouTube that was done shortly after Glen Campbell’s death. His homage to Glen and obvious love for him is a wonderful thing.

    I’d love to talk with Alice about his faith. There aren’t many people I’d say that about.

    I think they were neighbors of Suzanne’s in Phoenix.

    Given that “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” was one of Glen’s earliest hits, I love the irony of his having moved to Phoenix to get away from the drugs and partying of L.A.

  25. 25.

    Sure Lurkalot

    @Sister Golden Bear:

    Not sure why but lunch definitely did not agree with me.

    Same thing happened to me last week after I went out for dinner, I was pretty punk for 2 days. Not sure if it was the food or a bug.

    Undaunted, I’m meeting my SIL for lunch out tomorrow.

    Hope you feel better soon.

  31. 31.

    Toeless Flenser

    Just finished Dept. Q.  I’d recommend it,  if for no other reason than the range of beautiful Scottish accents.

  32. 32.

    laura

    @Toeless Flenser: for me, it was the omnipresent deeply saturated blue- almost a royal peacock blue- his kitchen, sweater, lights in the dreary office. That color hooked me by the eyeballs and was impossible to ignore.

  33. 33.

    Suzanne

    @catclub: That’s a good question. I have no idea. But she’s doing what I want to see all Dems do, which is using every lever of hard and soft power within reach to make the POS FFOTUS miserable.

    I will criticize Dems who I don’t think are up to the fight, but I will also be fair and  share praise when it’s warranted.

  34. 34.

    lowtechcyclist

    It’s so cool and pleasant out on my deck that I’ve stayed out here as it’s gotten dark. There’s just enough breeze to keep the mosquitos and noseeums away, and the air is just perfect. Eventually I’ll go inside, but not yet.

  40. 40.

    Steve Paradis

    Mhz is a streaming app that costs about half the price of Netflix or Prime ad-free. Its bread and butter is European mysteries. In addition to recent series, it includes the ur-series from the various countries: the Nordic noir of Beck, the moody French character studies of Maigret–starring Bruno Cremer, the man born to play him, the Sicilian humanity of Montalbano, the German omnibus Tatort–I’d say start with Tatort Vienna.

    Of the newest I turn again and again to an auteur of comic mystery, the Italian Roan Johnson. He started on the resort-set Barlume, and soon switched it from comic mystery to screwball mystery.

    youtu.be/qDPDNK6QzaQ?si=EHl9gSw-LqL4lkMh

    Then took over Monterossi–not quite so screwball, aside from the premise of a reality TV show runner solving mysteries, to his own dismay.

    youtu.be/BOLyc5j_3rM?si=ch0dOer86PtgcwrN

  41. 41.

    Martin

    @Suzanne: Yeah, I think Dems have done a pretty good job on the Epstein stuff. Chefs kiss would be Bill Clinton calling on Trump to release the files.

  45. 45.

    rikyrah

    I, too, Cole, am in my British Detective Show Era.

     

    McDonald and Dodds: Britbox

    Queens of Mystery: Acorn

    Spooks: Prime

    Shakespeare and Hathaway: Britbox

    Harry Wild:Acorn

    My Life is Murder (Australia/New Zealand) : Acorn

    Good Ship Murder: Britbox

    Recipes for Love and Murder (South Africa): Acorn

    Ludwig: Britbox

    Dept. Q: Netflix

  47. 47.

    Spanky

    If it makes everyone feel better, we in Southern MD are going to get the heat on Friday.

    This is a rare day when the dewpoint is below 70.

  51. 51.

    Scout211

    I did not have this on my bingo card.

    French President Macron Sues Candace Owens Over False Claims Macron’s Wife Is A Man

    Click through if you want to read the truly bizarre conspiracy theory that Owens has been perpetrating for months.

  54. 54.

    Jeffro

    I get that a lot of folks like Dept Q but…I cheated and read about the whole thing after watching the first episode, and that worked pretty well for me.

    bad on delayed gratification, I know, but life is short!

  56. 56.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @Scout211:

    French President Macron Sues Candace Owens Over False Claims Macron’s Wife Is A Man

    Ironic considering Macron’s wife said the word “woke” unironically in the negative sense that right-wingers use a few years ago

  57. 57.

    Scout211

    @Jeffro: I get that. I have been known to read the last chapter of a book to decide if reading the whole book would be worth my time.

  58. 58.

    satby

    @Jeffro: I have to head for Lexington tomorrow, heat and thunderstorms the entire way. But #2 son is graduating from the academy on Friday so we’re all going to be there. He worked hard for this, he’s about 14 years older than most of his classmates.

  59. 59.

    persistentillusion

    @mrmoshpotato: Colorado here, t-storms rolled through about an hour ago, 68 degrees.  Humid as Satan’s armpit, which will be difficult tomorrow as temps heat up.

  64. 64.

    Jackie

    @Suzanne:

    @Martin: It would be hilarious if Bill shouted LOCK! HIM! UP! as he did so.

    Hillary knows her husband was a womanizer and for whatever reasons – political and otherwise – she stayed with him warts and all. There’s probably nothing in the Epstein files regarding Bill that she doesn’t already know about, or suspected. So, I agree! Bill should demand that the Files be released!

  68. 68.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    Anyone seen the new Superman movie yet? I plan on seeing it tomorrow. I’m hyped

  72. 72.

    Jackie

    @mrmoshpotato: My M’s got crushed today, so I feel ya. Just happy BettyCracker and her sis enjoyed a Rays win last night.

    Toronto beat the hated Yankees again, so we can both celebrate!

  75. 75.

    japa21

    @mrmoshpotato:  You were probably thinking this would be an easy series for the Cubs this weekend.  By the way, how does it feel to be looking up north in the standings?  Long way to go, so I’m not going to gloat, but the Crew is looking pretty good right now.

  77. 77.

    Scout211

    WASHINGTON (AP)  — A federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s order seeking to end birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, affirming a lower-court decision that blocked its enforcement nationwide.

    The ruling from a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes after Trump’s plan was also blocked by a federal judge in New Hampshire. It marks the first time an appeals court has weighed in and brings the issue one step closer to coming back quickly before the Supreme Court.

    The 9th Circuit decision keeps a block on the Trump administration enforcing the order that would deny citizenship to children born to people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily.

    “The district court correctly concluded that the Executive Order’s proposed interpretation, denying citizenship to many persons born in the United States, is unconstitutional. We fully agree,” the majority wrote.

  78. 78.

    hueyplong

    You can tell it’s not the Supreme Court when they are willing to write and sign an opinion.

  79. 79.

    Captain C

    @lowtechcyclist: When I worked in a record store in a mall in Scottsdale in the early-mid ’90s, Alice Cooper would occasionally come in.  Interestingly, he preferred cassettes to CDs.

  82. 82.

    Peke Daddy

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): I have. It’s great, a love letter to the Silver Age of comics. Fun, emotionally intelligent, goofy in places. Corenswet’s the best Superman since Reeve, whole cast is spot on, and Krypto steals a few scenes.

  83. 83.

    prostratedragon

    Today in sociology:

    A 2019 investigation by Crain’s found that Epstein—in addition to his infamous townhouse at 9 East 71st Street in Manhattan, also known as the Herbert N. Straus House—had significant links to the adjacent property, which real estate records show is still owned by Lutnick.

    More from earlier this year, including some of Epstein and Lutnick’s joint connections with Leslie Wexner:

    Jim Stewartson: The Trump campaign has a new team that includes hedge fund billionaire Howard Lutnick, who hosted a dinner where Trump said “we’ve got to stop the steal” at his home next door to Jeffrey Epstein’s house.
    crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/unraveling-web-jeffrey-epsteins-manhattan-real-estate

    web.archive.org/web/20240813010659/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/10/us/politics/trump-campaign-ele…

    Money — where it comes from and where it goes.

  85. 85.

    Chetan Murthy

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): This is right.  I remember when Macron le mari was denouncing American ‘woke’ (I think he used the French-ism “le wokisme” but not sure) and all.  I feel sorry[1] that Mme. Macron got dragged into this: I don’t think French politicians’ spouses are usually as politically involved as American pols’ spouses are.

    But good ol’ Emmanel, yeah, I remember that.

    [1] it’s probably easier for me to feel sorry about this than some LGBTQ or ethnic minority French person: I don’t live there, and can gaze from afar.  So I’m not saying I’m -right- to feel sorry for her.

  88. 88.

    Jackie

    @Martin: I have Cal Raleigh to enjoy ;-)

    I will confess last year I cheered for the Dodgers in the WS – but ONLY because I hate the Yankees more. LOL

  90. 90.

    Jackie

    @Martin: LOLOL! How many HRs has Ohtani  hit this season? I don’t think I saw him participating in the HR Derby. Was he even in the ASG?

    Here’s great news we can all celebrate!

    A federal appeals court said Wednesday that President Trump’s executive order curtailing birthright citizenship is unconstitutional,” CBS News reports.

    “The policy, which has been the subject of a complicated monthslong legal back-and-forth, is currently on hold. But Wednesday’s decision appears to mark the first time that an appellate court has weighed in on the merits of Mr. Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship for many children of undocumented immigrants by executive order.”

  91. 91.

    Martin

    @Jackie: Ohtani is at 37, 2 behind Cal. 7 triples puts him ahead of Cal in slugging %.

    He skipped the HR derby because he thinks the current rules cause injuries, and he’s just getting back on the mound.

  92. 92.

    Jackie

    @Martin: I was a fan of him when he was with the Angels. Going to the Dodgers was the West Coast equivalent of going to the Yankees. I realize $$$ is god to many players, but I respect those whose loyalty is to the team who gave them their chance to fame.

    Edgar Martinez is my favorite player EVER. His jersey is the only one I have, and I didn’t get it until I was assured he would retire as a Mariners.

    I know I’m unrealistic in today’s world, but I am who I am.

  95. 95.

    Martin

    @Jackie: So, my interest in sports is primarily around athletes that break the game meta.

    I fucking hated the AL giving pitchers a pass on hitting. Making pitchers hit is a tool to keep pitchers from throwing at batters. Then MLB collectively agreed that pitchers were too shit at baseball to hit. The Shohei Fucking Ohtani comes to our shores and proves that everyone since Babe Ruth was fucking WRONG about that – pitchers can hit. Not only can they hit, they can break records at hitting. MLB is not sufficiently ashamed of their own capitulation to treat pitchers like little babies that can’t be expected to take an at bat.

    Shohei is here like Superman to set baseball on the right moral path. And look at that sweet boy’s face – tell me he is not a gift from the gods to us

    I will add, I am predisposed to be a Dodgers fan. My family settled in Brooklyn close to the stadium and they were lifelong Dodgers fans, and hated the Yankees. My grandmother moved to California a decade after the Dodgers did and continued being a fan. And I could never get past the Angels being an AL team, even though they’re my local team.

  96. 96.

    NotMax

    Front page is now effed up, at least as seen here.

    Solution may be to put Betty C’s post into quarantine, distasteful an option as that is.

  99. 99.

    lowtechcyclist

    @Jackie: ​

    I was a fan of him when he was with the Angels. Going to the Dodgers was the West Coast equivalent of going to the Yankees. I realize $$$ is god to many players, but I respect those whose loyalty is to the team who gave them their chance to fame.

    I can understand your attitude, but OTOH free agency is the first time in their career that they have any say in which organization they’re going to be part of. I don’t blame a player for exercising that choice.

  100. 100.

    terraformer

    John, the whole “yippeee I found a show that is good I can watch for a week until I have to search for something else new and good” resonates with me. For example, I hadn’t yet seen “Lincoln Lawyer S3” yet and found it and am happy for a few days

    good shows are my escape from the daily horror of Orange 2.0, the same daily firehose of sh!t and horror, but in overdrive this time. At least until those times I wake up at night thinking about it all. But escapes are needed

  101. 101.

    H-Bob

    A few more lesser known detective shows:

    -Rosemary & Thyme — kind of cute and has a lot of cool gardens (the main characters are gardening contractors). [YouTube]

    -Brokenwood Mysteries — set in New Zealand. [PBS]

    -Inspector Lynley [PBS]

    -Nero Wolfe (although not British, the 1990s show was pretty interesting) [YouTube]

  102. 102.

    Gravie

    Brokenwood on Acorn. Set in New Zealand, well-written plots, lots of humor, and a great cast — including a lot of representation by Maori actors. It really takes you to another world.

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