I just wanted to let you know I am still alive and everyone, as of noon, was finally gone. I am sooo fucking exhausted. I also wanted to share this picture of all the family in these ridiculous glasses Anne made us take pictures in:
I am a big fan of the wet spot on my shirt from the boutonnière- so I will be giving wet nipple in every wedding picture, which is cool. I guess it is kind of consistent because every single picture of me from age 16-35 is me with a massive beer stain on my shirt and holding a cigarette, so no one will probably even notice.
It’s always so exhausting when Joelle comes for a week because it takes me a week or so to get used to there being another person around and by the time I am used to it she is gone. She, on the other hand, is for whatever sick reason, trying to get six months worth of me squeezed into 8 days. Add to this the fact that it is always homecoming and almost every minute is already filled with running errands and cooking and more socializing than I do in entire 2-3 month periods. It’s also hard because Joelle has dog energy and needs to sniff and greet every single person she knows, whereas I have decided cat energy, will look around a corner into a room, see more than two people, and slowly back up and nope my way back to where I came.
All of which is to say I am exhausted and really looking forward to a lot of alone time in a dark room. Scanning the headlines, everything still sucks and I can’t fucking do anything about it.
Baud
You’re already henpecked.
SpaceUnit
@Baud:
Just a matter of time before he’s referring to Joelle as the old ball and chain.
geg6
I feel you, Cole. My already low threshold for people has diminished even more since November. But you have a lovely, vivacious wife to make up for it. Be happy. As for everything else, fuck it.
WaterGirl
Who’s the guy giving everyone the finger?
satby
I think the sweetest thing Joelle said was how she knew to give John his alone time. She’s a bundle of cheer, but is ok with us introverted folks.
Also, sounds like pedi time too.
satby
I take it that’s Seth on the left?
Scout211
Awww. That is so sweet. She wants to be with you all the time. You are a lucky husband. And loved.
Awww. That is so sweet. You peopled for 8 straight days for her. Joelle is a lucky wife. And loved.
❤️
MagdaInBlack
So that’s what it is: I have cat energy.
CaseyL
I happen to really like oversized glasses. If those were more square, I’d be asking where Anne found the frames.
So you have cat energy and Joelle has dog energy. (Obligatory: “Dogs and cats, living together… mass hysteria!”) I think you two make a perfect couple: you can timeshare that whole having-to-be-around-humans thing.
Central Planning
So John… if you have cat energy, does that mean you want to walk up to people that don’t like you and then you act all cute and adorable and rub against them?
bbleh
@Central Planning: … and inflame their allergies?
The wedding pix look like GREAT fun. Congratulations again, and don’t tell me you won’t be waiting for her to get back while you’re sitting in the dark room.
As to headlines, take solace in the fact that Couch Boy stuck his faux-hillbilly feet in his mouth but good today. I’m not gonna say that the wheels are coming off the cart yet, but there are some serious wobbles.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@bbleh:
Just doing a quick Google search, was it the “We’re headed into a shutdown”?
WTFGhost
HEY ASSHOLE! You just got effing MARRIED, so *NO*, not *EVERYTHING* sucks.
The news is a pile of shit, from the worst asshole of all time, but – you not only got married, you got married on my proposal day. Why? Wedding day: 9/4. Birthday(his): 9/11. Birthday(hers): 9/18. Date of proposal: 9/25. We have an epic effing month of celebrations, and you probably don’t have a hideous birthday to put in the mix, BUT…
…but any time you get to tell your lady love that she is, really, truly, the most beautiful, loving, amazing, person you can ever imagine is a time when suckage will not be total.
Just sayin’.
Professor Bigfoot
This is a good, honest tired, JG; the kind you feel after accomplishing something- something pretty profound.
You are loved bro. From your amazing wife to your family to your friends to this joint, you are loved.
Rest and recuperate.
Oh, and bask in it. 😁
bbleh
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): yes. And now that’s THE headline, and it’s a senior member of the Administration saying it’s a done deal. Not a Freedom Caucus guy or the Senate Whip applying pressure, but the #2 guy saying “yup, it’s happening” without a word of condemnation or blame.
The optics are, they’re cool with it. And that pretty much deflates any attempt to blame it on the Dems, which both the Orange Guy and Senate Repubs have been trying hard to do.
(And this btw is yet another exhibit for my case that, if the Lord calls the Orange Guy home, Couch Boy is at sea on a flimsy raft with no paddle and surrounded by sharks.)
WaterGirl
Mom Cole and Dad Cole are looking good!
MagdaInBlack
@bbleh: Oh, he blamed it on Democrats “preposterous demands.”
bbleh
@MagdaInBlack: but that ain’t the story. It’s in there, and the other suits said similar things (the Head Ghoul said all Dems have to do is accept the “reasonable plan” from the House, which was a giant F.U. to the Dems), but the story is Veep Sez Shutdown.
He’s a second-rate talent, if that. (I might even suggest that’s why the Orange Guy picked him: he’s guaranteed not to outshine.)
Sister Golden Bear
The introvert in me honors the introvert in you—from an appropriately safe distance. Peopling for 8 days straight… that’s true love. Joelle is a lucky woman.
WTFGhost
@Central Planning: hee! How do you think he ensnared Joelle?
(No offense intended to John or Joelle.)
@CaseyL: If you do like big glasses, make sure you tell eyeglass places that you don’t give a damn if big glasses make your eyes look abnormally close together. No one would *tell* me why they kept pulling all the big-lens glasses out of my hand. And it’s like, “when I put on glasses, all I care about is seeing. If I care about how people see me, I take my glasses off.” Big lenses are easier for me – just trying to look through the glass, on small lenses, proves to me I’ll never be able to handle bifocals, so, I want my whole vision to be through the glass.
It does help that I have a spot of astigmatism, but otherwise have good distance vision. I usually only put on glasses to drive, which I can’t do any longer.
@MagdaInBlack: Cat energy is a good way of looking at it, especially if it’s normal-for-you. If somedays, you can’t handle people, it could be like what I have. I’m always in neurological pain, but sometimes, it’s so bad, that just hearing voices in the background makes me hurt. I can be a fine gladfellow, greeting everyone, buying the next pitcher, complimenting the ladies so outrageously that they laugh, but sometimes blush (just a tad), geeking out with all geeks, and being the guy who wants to bring the fun. It’s not natural for me, but, I’ve recognized that if you want to bring a happy energy to a gathering, you need to *be* that happy energy, unless you have a designated happy energy person.
But when I’m exhausted, I can’t block out the pain well enough to put on an act.
You’re far more likely to be cat-energy than neuro-gimped, but, I didn’t realize I was neuro-gimped for far too many years, so I babble so people know.
Geminid
@bbleh: If Trump was out of the picture, Vance could have Peter Thiel, Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch paddling for him.
lowtechcyclist
@CaseyL:
I was gonna say that, but I figured somebody would have gotten there first. And you came through. :-)
Kelly
Got our Covid shots today. Mrs. Kelly also got her flu shot. I’m waiting until next week for that.
A week of rain began today. We’re ready for some fall weather. Hopefully it’ll slow down the fire on the lower Rogue River. We’re 150 miles away but it still stunk us into the house yesterday afternoon.
MagdaInBlack
@bbleh: I think you over-estimate the spoon fed mind of the maga base. They’re being fed that its the fault of Democrats, and the rest just sails past them.
I may be wrong, we shall see.
@Geminid: Yup. That’s why he got the job.
CaseyL
@lowtechcyclist: Might be the first time ever I quoted a meme before anyone else did :)
frosty
Or find the one person who is allergic to cat hair and rub up against him. A lot. Ask me how I know.
ETA @bbleh: All I had to do was read one more comment! I guess I’m not unique, cats find us.
Jackie
@Geminid:
Don’t leave out Russ Vought.
prostratedragon
“Sunshowers,” Yasmin Williams
And may I add, “Meow.”
bbleh
@MagdaInBlack: oh as to the MAGAt base, I agree; they’re write-offs. No matter what happens, good things are thanks to the grace of the Orange Guy and bad things are the devious work of insidious Leftists and (((globalists))) and Trans people and the Hordes Of Dark-Skinned Others. But I’m talking about what it says to the Normies, and I think it’s “yeah we’re cool with it.”
@Geminid: lol, now THERE’s a trio with real political appeal!
frosty
@Jackie: But all paddling in different directions, each towards his own ego. And quite possibly smacking the others over the head with their paddles.
JoyceH
Schumer said that when they explained to Trump that the subsidy cuts meant that people’s insurance premiums would go up 75%. And said Trump looked like it was the first he’d heard about that. So – who in the White House wants a shutdown?
And in the same vein, the governor of Oregon talked with Trump on the phone and told him Portland didn’t need troops – he said that ICE was under siege and there were fires everywhere, he saw it on TV – she told him that was the George Floyd riots and Portland hadn’t experienced anything like that since. So – who is the White House has been showing Trump video from 2020? Who is it who wants the troops in Portland?
Mr. Bemused Senior
I’m a bit surprised it hasn’t started already, what with mad king Donald showing strong signs of failing
Jackie
@frosty: HA! Yes. I have no doubt Vought would smack Vance out of the canoe and dare the others to rescue him.
Ishiyama
Now that the shut-down is looming, and considering Trump will continue spending money from the Treasury without regard to the will of Congress, I don’t see much distinction in this situation from the confrontation between Charles I and Parliament over the funding of the Monarchy. Charles decided to assess “ship money” taxes without the consent of Parliament, Trump is planning to use tariffs the same way. All that is needed to complete the picture is for Trump to prorogue Congress after the 2026 elections to prevent the convening of his political opponents in a competing seat of power. It’s going to be a wild ride, potentially.
MagdaInBlack
@JoyceH: Stephen Miller.
Jackie
@JoyceH:
FFOTUS saw the clips on FAUX News just recently. So obviously FAUX wants him to send in the troops.
Another Scott
@JoyceH: President Stephen Miller, probably.
Grr…
[ eta ] – Magda got there first.
Best wishes,
Scott.
Jackie
Read the entire link! A bit of humorous relief ;-)
cain
@JoyceH: This is either Kristi Noem/Corey L. or Miller or both.
leeleeFL
@Central Planning: imagining Cole doing my Stormy Cat’s slut-flop! It’s entertaining AF!
Dorothy A. Winsor
@Jackie: Ya know. Every once in a while I have a sleepless night, and I lie awake thinking about every stupid thing I ever did and how embarrassing they are. And yet the shaman deliberately filed this lawsuit.
Melancholy Jaques
@MagdaInBlack:
In my view, Democrats’ demands are not preposterous enough. I’d demand that Hegseth & RFK Jr resign.
iKropoclast
Make sure he can’t unilaterally cancel spending authorized by law.
RaflW
I was at a wedding on Saturday. Just the sweetest, kindest young couple.
The mom of the bride talked during the toast about her first time meeting the future groom. Making small talk, she asked him “So, dog person or cat person?”
“I reject the cat-dog duality,” he deadpanned. She said she knew he’d be a keeper!
Jackie
@Dorothy A. Winsor: He’s definitely a candidate for a well-bed! IF they cure mental instability.
Scout211
I’m enjoying the MAGA meltdown over Bad Bunny being chosen as the headline act for the Super Bowl halftime show.
MAGA Is Freaking Out About Bad Bunny Performing At The Super Bowl — And Their Explanation Is WTF
. . .
RaflW
@JoyceH: “Schumer said when they explained to Trump that subsidy cuts meant people’s insurance premiums would go up 75%, Trump looked like it was the first he’d heard about that”
There’s two things possibly going on here, maybe both together (and this relates to T. not seeming to know that Portland isn’t a flaming wreck).
1. He’s demented. Things don’t stick in his head, so he has that “Oh, this is new information” look.
2. His advisors are filtering what info he gets, and either making things look better or worse than reality to manipulate him.
Sister Golden Bear
@RaflW: ¿Porqué no los dos?
Jackie
@Scout211: Bad Bunny needs to up his bodyguards – FFOTUS pretends to not realize Puerto Rico is part of the United States.
I’ve been reading some of MAGA’s meltdowns and their threats to boycott the NFL LOL! If this means FFOTUS refuses to attend any more Super Bowls – it’s a win-win!
bbleh
@JoyceH: @RaflW: @Sister Golden Bear: I dunno what the real situation is inside the WH (although I would observe that, in his later years, Trump’s dad suffered from severe dementia, to the point that his people set up a fake office for him, complete with secretary and fake papers to sign, just to keep him complacent), but to me it was telling that he was NOT out front with the other Republicans. First Chuck and Hakeem come out and say the Orange Guy doesn’t know wtf is going on, hello health care? And then the Reps send Totally Trustworthy Pastor Mike, and That Guy From The Senate, and Head Ghoul Russ Vought, and Couch Boy, to say welp, Dems are awful, if they would just do exactly as we demand then it would all be good, but looks like we’re heading for a shutdown.
Those are not, how you say, good optics.
And yeah, the faithful will hear what they are programmed to hear. But to judge from the media reports so far, it looks like the Rs are gonna own a shutdown.
(Whether they care is another question. But nobody ever accused them of competence or foresight. See, eg, this very example.)
TS
@RaflW: Obviously both things are happening.
prostratedragon
Chicago today:
RaflW
The new Trump post of an insane fake (can’t really call it a deep fake because it’s so ridiculous) of Schumer does make the above seem quite plausible.
Old School
Politico:
Scout211
Trump posts vulgar deepfake slam of Democratic leaders after White House meeting
. . .
Old School got there first.
prostratedragon
Gov. JB Pritzker:
Melancholy Jaques
@iKropoclast:
How would you do that?
frosty
I’ll remember this line the next time I lie awake with regrets over stupid, non-stupid, and clueless things I did in the past.
Jackie
@Scout211: More than HALF of America voted for this.
I’m sick for the rest of we Americans who didn’t.
planetjanet
@bbleh: But he is wrong about everything. So that must mean there will be no shutdown. Right?
Kayla Rudbek
I’m trying to find things to look forward to and it’s very difficult these days to find something that I can maintain looking forward to.
I can’t even maintain joy over planning the next big bike trip/solar eclipse trip for next summer without starting to worry about what that madman in the White House will have done by then. At this rate, the Spanish government might be refusing visas from US citizens by then…
Gin & Tonic
@Jackie:
This is not true by any measure. Please do not give him more credit or power than he earned. He did not get a majority of Americans, he did not get a majority of voting-age Americans, he did not get a majority of registered voters, he did not even get a majority of the votes cast, only a plurality.
Fewer than one-quarter of Americans voted for this.
Jackie
@Jackie: I’m watching Lawrence O’Donnell delayed, but he’s covering this disgusting fake video FFOTUS posted. The disgust O’Donnell has for FFOTUS acting like a snotty child is palpable.
NotMax
Profiles in stupidity.
Trump says US to impose 100% tariff on movies made outside the country.
Jackie
@Gin & Tonic: Plurality is what I’ll use from here on.
A plurality still got him in office.
And he won the Popular Vote.
prostratedragon
@Jackie:
Oh, it’s beyond revolting. The downward acceleration (⬇️) continues to increase.
Jeffries’s reply.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Jackie:
Barely. Very narrowly.
prostratedragon
@NotMax:
100 percent of what, on whom?
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@bbleh:
Thanks. Yeah, it’s not a good look. They have majorities in Congress and control the WH. There’s no excuse for them not being able to pass a budget on their own
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@prostratedragon:
@NotMax:
It’s also 100% explicitly illegal to place tariffs on films. Like it’s spelled out in law that they can’t be tariffed
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Scout211:
Jesus Christ, that AI deep fake video is not even remotely subtle. Just pure, vile bullshit
prostratedragon
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): Yeah, the intellectual.property thing. It’s mentioned in the article as another obstacle. And once again, they just do not get soft power.
Redshift
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): He’s devolved into being nothing more than a troll, but the whole GOP had already become a party of trolls.
Jackie
@prostratedragon: GOOD for Jeffries!
Jackie
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): That’s beside the point. FFOTUS got all the votes needed to win the White House. Barely in this case = Win.
Jackie
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):
That’s gonna stop FFOTUS? 😂
Sorry. Don’t take it personally. I’m in a mood.
Kayla Rudbek
@prostratedragon:
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): well, copyright law has girl cooties, at least according to the tech dudebros running Silicon Valley…
but seriously, the Copyright Office is trying to stand up against the generative AI companies, which is why Trump fired the Registrar of Copyrights, and the Patent and Trademark Office leadership has completely rolled over for Silicon Valley and is either ignoring Big Pharma or trying to drain it dry
BQuimby
@Geminid: Naw, it’ll be Peter, Elon and Murdoch using JD as a dumb puppet for their agendas…
Jackie
Should be a free link:
prostratedragon
A little Bernstein
NotMax
@prostratedragon
Dizzy Fingers, the fumbling rendition.
:)
prostratedragon
@NotMax: My heart sank when I saw who the performers (seems safer than “artists”) were.😉
ETA reminds me of when the school.band director slipped the final movement of Shostakovich 5 into our folios. A few of us had some hope of one day, at last, getting through it. That few was not enough.
Geminid
@BQuimby: Sure. That’s what Vance is there for.
rikyrah
Awe Cole.
So sweet🤗🤗
rikyrah
@NotMax:
Ridiculous😠
Betty
@JoyceH: Miller and Vought, the evil twins. Any other questions?
Rugosa
@frosty: I just had brain blast. Could it be that, when a cat meets a non-cat owning human, they think “Hmm, no cat smell on this person. I’ll fix that”?
Paul in KY
@RaflW: Ah, he must be a Ferretist.
Paul in KY
@Scout211: Go Bad Bunny!