Humpday Happenings...

Believe it or not, we're already at the LAST Wednesday of the first month of this year.
Tempus Fugit, hmm?
Many stores are all set for Valentine's Day, as if we didn't notice. Nothing like rushing things along.
And, if you found yesterday's dryness appealing, I hope you enjoyed it, because it looks like we're going to have some more precipitation heading our way in the Heartland.
Our Hoosierland weather for today will bring us with mostly cloudy skies (anyone getting USED to the color GREY yet?), temps topping out around 51 degrees and scattered showers later on with some gusty winds coming along for the ride. Got some snow showers for overnight (oh, boy - winter returns at last)
Now, what say we get that morning beverage and take a look at what has been going on in some familiar places, okay?
*** First off of the spice rack is our WHO SAID THAT? quote for the week:

"Other countries have been founded by 'accidents of force.' America is a creation of thought."
If more people read history and discovered the truth behind our founding, they would already know this. So, WHO said that?
The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at The King's College in Manhattan...
*** Next up, we have our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
January 25 -
---Today is National Irish Coffee Day

(well, that caught me off guard. I would have thought this would be in March)
---And, it's National Opposite Day

(Bet those who have Oppositional Defiance Disorder are loving this)
*** Next up, it looks like the military is getting new sidearms.

Here's the story link:
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/01/19/army-picks-sig-sauer-replace-m9-service-pistol.html

Meet the Sig Sauer P320

Now, it would appear that the Sig-Sauer P320 (a military version of the 9mm) will be the replacement for the M9 Beretta. The military has finally chosen to go "polymer".
Why American gun-makers got a no-vote beats the hell outta me.

Smith & Wesson M&P

Personally, I would have chosen the Smith & Wesson M&P (also in 9mm), as the price is lower and the quality is high.
Then again, I would have never left having the Colt "1911" in .45 ACP.
I never really liked the M9 - too bulky for my liking.
The contract with Sig Sauer is said to be $580 MILLION bucks (that's a shitload of handguns)
Sig did beat out Glock, FN America, and Beretts USA, and they will produce both full size and compact versions of the pistol for the military.

Sig Sauer P226

Wonder if it's got anything to do with agencies like NCIS already using Sig-Sauer P226s and P-228s?
(bet you were wondering, right Chris?)
The FBI still uses Glocks.
The CIA uses the Sig P-226 and P-228, as does the Secret Service and other Treasury Dept personnel.
I just can't imagine why Ruger or S&W weren't in the running. Kinda seems a bit wrong to me.
*** Next up (and closer to home), City Council votes to fund The Landing in Ft. Wayne, BUT...

Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/The-Landing-lands-Legacy-loan-17461879
Ahhh, so it's a LOAN, and not another giveaway of the legacy funds...nice job, Council (for a change).

artist concept of "redevelopment"

And, it's only 2.5 MIL for the total plan which will cost $35.7 MIL
(Wonder who pays much of THAT balance? Any guesses based on yesterday's post?)
It's a step in the right direction, even if it's just a "baby-step".
*** Next up...I forgot to mention this earlier in the week, but we FINALLY got our leaf pickup on Monday.

Yeah, all those dead leaves that had been soaked beyond belief were gathered by the city...only took a MONTH, too.

Naturally, the piles we once had becamse flattened by snow and rain, so evidence of a needed pickup were lacking.
Still, the city guys managed to get SOME leaves up and also ran a street sweeper through (to remove the gutter trash tossed by the "locals".

We know clean gutters won't last long down here.
But, it will look nice for a day...or two.
*** Next, Our "king" will address his subjects on 15 FEB (right after St. Valentine's Day) at High Noon (oh, to have Gary Cooper around...lol) Here's the link:
http://wane.com/2017/01/24/mayor-set-to-give-state-of-the-city-address/

I wonder what FOR?

The 2017 State of the City Address will take place THEN, and NOT today (got ahead of myself, dammit), and I can't wait to hear it.
Bet'cha it sounds JUST like the last several years worth of addresses.
Naturally, we'll hear ALL about downtown...and the riverfront...and the Landing...and progress throughout the city, except on the SE side, unless you consider that future slum called Posterity Scholar House.

And, we'll also hear about the 28 new FWPD officers, which ACTUALLY comes down to about 14 (they lied again), because the 28 signifies the number of RECRUITS who enter the academy...and NOT the number that will graduate and become "probies".
And THEY won't be on the streets for another 8 months.
There are always those who will wash out...trust me.
Still the "king" should be good for a few (more) laughs, if I don't kick the shit out of the television along the way...hey, maybe I should buy another set, just in case? lol.
*** Next, time for another trip over to "Kitten Corner"...

"I iz terminator kitty"

Well, the collars with the bells are working out (so far), even with them scratching their necks periodically.
It's not affecting their ability to chase one another, or eat, or even nap (thank God for that).

We getz into all kinds of stuff.

Last evening, they both came into the living room and curled up on the carpet as I watched the TV.
There is one proviso - that I also accompany them on the carpet. If I sit in the chair, they tend to not calm down as quickly.

"I iz all chased out."

And then there's my "wake-up call", as they climb over me before 6 AM.
Not as blaring as an alarm clock, I will grant you that. They prefer to "ease" me into the early morning.
I can work with that.
*** Last back to the flatware drawer...if memory serves, this is the time (29 years ago) when a lot of people were digging out of "that blizzard" back in 1978.

It was like this back in Philly and Jersey, too.

And, it was a time when we saw a lot more people working together (for a common cause).

Today, we also see banding together, although in not quite the manner we used to see.
People will rally to the damnedest things, with little regard for civility to law-enforcement and their fellow man.
Rioting has taken the place of "peaceful protest", yet is still called that by the lame-stream media.
We've come a long way from the old "sit-ins", and it's not benefited anyone.
Dr King took a page from Gandhi with his "passive resistance" during the Civil Rights Movement, and got his message across to a lot more people as a result.
Today, there are those in our society who claim to be so much more diverse, and inclusive, and comprehensive when it comes to others, and yet, all we see and hear are specific people doing specific things for specific reasons.

Sounds about right.

Damn other points of view, honest debate, and even a willingness to at least hear other sides of a cogent conversation. Social media has seen to THAT much (gee, thanks for nothing).
Such actions will lead to anarchy, eventually. We don't really want to go THERE.

Try convincing them otherwise...

But, that's what happens when morality and ethical behavior are relegated to the back-seat in people's lives.
Perhaps it's high time we choose a better path towards unity, rather than the one of divisiveness that too many have walked for way too long. It's just a thought, but a damn good one. You have to admit that, right?

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.