22 June 2018

Friday Follies...
It seems like we're developing our very own "monsoon season" here in Indiana.
Now, while that might appear all well and good in say...southeast ASIA, I'm not liking it here in southeast Fort Wayne.
(believe it or not, there is a difference in locale)
Maybe the Earth HAS "wobbled" a bit on it's AXIS...?
Our Hoosierland weather for today has us dealing with cloudy skies, temps rising to about 76 degrees and more scattered rain and possibly a thunderstorm tossed in for no reason whatsoever.
So, what way we get a glass, cup, or mug of that Friday Fortitude poured, as we see what else gas been going on, hmm?
*** First off of the saturated lawns is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
JUNE 22 -
---It's National Chocolate Eclair Day
(Oh, to find some of THESE in this city...haven't so far. Damn shame)
---It's National HVAC Tech Day
(I salute them, because I used to be one a couple lifetimes ago)
---It's National Onion Rings Day
(nothing like a good batch of these with dinner)
---It's National Take Your Dog To Work Day
(I don't think Scrappy would want to go)
*** Next, and since week'd end has finally arrived, let's see what we can observe over the following 48 hours...
JUNE 23 -
---Saturday is National Hydration Day
(ROFLMAO...you are kidding with all this rain, right?)
---It's National Pecan Sandies Day
(pass the milk, please)
---It's National Pink Day
(the color, not the musical artist, thank God)
JUNE 24 -
---Sunday is National Pralines Day
(yeah, these are pretty good, too)
There you have it...not AS much to do as usual. Just always remember to observe responsibly.
*** Next up, Kevin Leininger makes sense once again with this column:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/06/21/kevin-leininger-is-fort-waynes-new-trash-firm-really-worse-than-the-old-one-maybe-but-cooperation-not-finger-pointing-is-needed-now/
Now, our trash (and recycle) pickup came before 5PM, so we're still having no problems. I maintain that we have certain people in this city who want the moon, and are stunned when they can't get it.
Must be the same people who think they're the center of the universe and will be sadly mistaken when they get there and don't find themselves staring back...heh.
*** Next, Judge Surbeck to (finally) retire. Here's the story:
http://www.wane.com/news/local-news/judge-john-surbeck-announces-retirement-plans/1253197818
In recent years, he's been getting a bit "easy" with the criminals, much like "turn 'em loose Kenny" was, and when you have RISING crime, the last thing you should be doing is sending the wrong message to those perps. You don't want to make these people feel at ease when they commit a crime, knowing their sentence will be a light one, no matter what that crime was.
Maybe, this "changing of the guard" will produce some STRICT judges in the local courts - ones who won't permit nearly as many plea deals, allowing criminals to "wiggle off the hook", a it were.
*** Next up, here's another reason to really ADMIRE our state's AG:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38474834/attorney-general-continues-to-express-concern-over-needle-exchange-programs
Curtis Hill doesn't like this needle exchange program in Indiana, and he's got good reasons.
I look at this as "feeding the beast", and is something we really don;t have to be tossing good money at, because it's not getting drug users OFF of the drugs by allowing them to get free syringes. Sure, it's a health issue, but if you're planning on hanging out with, or maybe getting into a relationship with a druggie who uses needles, maybe you should rethink who you are getting together with, right?
*** Next, could there be some light at the end of this tunnel? Here's the lowdown:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/politics/20180621/plan-to-merge-federal-agencies
Like "Survivor", it's time to "merge the tribes"...
((Education is the smallest Cabinet agency in number of employees, with just under 4,000, and a $68 billion budget. It oversees federal student loans, distributes K-12 education funding and enforces federal civil rights laws at public schools and colleges.
Labor, with roughly 15,000 employees and a $13 billion budget, has a broad portfolio that include programs to train workers, enforcement of minimum wage laws, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.))
Sounds like a damn good start to me.
*** Next up, Charles Krauthammer has passed at the age of 68. Here's the story:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/06/21/charles-krauthammer-conservative-commentator-and-pulitzer-prize-winner-dead-at-68.html
And here is his WIKI, in case you want to find out more about him:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Krauthammer
It's not that long a read, but offers insight into his beliefs and stand on various issues of our times.
I know I will miss his take on current events, as his voice was always one of reason and facts.
*** Next, time to stop by our "Kitten Corner"...
Okay, you distract daddy...
Our kids were trying to get into things, but were thwarted by yours truly.
To that, they did settle down and take in the crappy weather outside by watching it, boring as it was.
They soon tired of it and decided to nap.
I told them: "Now you know what it's like when I watch politics on TV"...LOL.
Evenings are the best...everyone's tuckered out and relegated to a chair to catch another nap.
*** Next up, let's check in with "Midnight and Company"...
Breakfast before the rains came.
Our furry twosome were trying their best to NOT become a soaked twosome, and they did pretty good, considering.
Wasn't raining yet.
Whiskers was nearby ALL day, while Midnight chose to  wander off. I thought he would miss dinner, but he came later and ate the food on his plate.
While the rain came down...
We had to forego the hand held treats, but we'll make up for that today.
There are always more treats.
*** Last back to the umbrella stand...Ft. Wayne has developed (a perfect word to use here) a nasty habit over the last several years.
Perhaps a GOOD example of what that is can be found here:
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/columns/20180622/slocum-pointe-neighbors-air-their-concerns
Now, if you read this, you can easily see that the (valid) concerns of neighbors in this area are not being considered. And the last time I checked, those in public office were there to SERVE THE PEOPLE, hence the term "civil servant".
Tamera Gardens - negative impact
It would appear that these servants are serving THEMSELVES first, and that's a bad cycle to get into.
I've seen the evidence of the self-serving in this city from the way our part of town has been allowed to decline over the decades.
Chapel Oaks Apts. Keller property.
This constant REZONING of parcels (in some cases whole areas) has got to come under more scrutiny, and for the good of the people LIVING there...not some pie-in-the-sky "development" supposed to make things better.
Rarely does that ever work, but yet, the developers keep getting THEIR way.
I'm not against development...we need it if we are to move forward, but more often than not, development takes place where the CITY (and the plan commission) WANTS it...not where the people NEED it.
Time and again, these plans get rubber-stamped and pushed through without due consideration for the people (who are the "bosses" of all those civil servants).
This needs to stop, or at least change so as to allow the PEOPLE to choose what is best for them, and not some agency  or commission to decide. That is the way this city should work.
Do have yourselves a good weekend.
Be well, make a difference to someone today, and as always...
Stay SAFE out there, America.

4 comments:

Momma Fargo said...

I am drinking water to national hydration day. I thought your kitties might drop weight from the heat, but they look mighty fine and chubby. I like chubby kitties. My daughter's is way too skinny because she is a pscyho. She is up to date on shots and flea, tick, etc. prevention and runs like the devil. Gah. Happy Friday!

Bob G. said...

Momma Fargo:
---I had my coffee for the AM...now, it's on to SQUIRT soda for the afternoon.
(Lord knows what I'm having later on...lol)
---Yeah, we're trying to keep the cats well fed. They ARE shedding to beat the band, so if they look slimmer, THAT'S why.
---Some cats have that "wild" streak in 'em...after time, they'll put it behind them and then they become really nice cats.
I try to discourage the bat-shit crazy behaviors...as best I can...heh.
(fighting a losing battle some days)

Thanks for rolling up today to Comment.
Have yourself a great (and dry) weekend.

Stay safe down there, dear.

CWMartin said...

Your Garfield pic reminded me of a piece of our last meeting at work:

Big Boss Mark: "It's not like we have a room full of employees upstairs eating donuts while they wait to fill in for someone who calls in..."

Me: "Can I apply for that job?"

BBM: "Sure! Let me go over your salary..."


Eclairs: Kroger has 'em, get them for holiday meals b/c they are too addicting. I hooked Jessica and Aaron on the stupid things, too!


Dog work: I would bet you'd be right, there...


Sad to see it happen to the Hammer so soon- but less suffering for him, I guess.

Frankly, I'd rather watch rain. Peaceful... not hateful.

Bob G. said...

Chris:
---When it comes to Garfield - "Always trust the cat".
Now, if you CAN find a job where you can eat donuts while working...that's KISMET!
---Maybe YOUR Kroger has 'em...ours in Waynedale isn't a "Marketplace".
Just one MORE thing we don't have available down here in the crotch of Ft. Wayne.
---Why don't you ask Scrappy...and then be SURE to give him some treats to calm him down.
---His life was quite interesting...he was a good observer of humanity.
---I DID watch the rain yesterday...to see when it would SLOW DOWN long enough for me to feed the cats without ALL of us getting soaked...LOL.
(anything but peaceful there.)

Oh, and Momma Fargo has a good post about a new book I know you'd like - SUPERHERO ETHICS (Dr. TraviS Smith)...give it a look at her blog. I've gotta get a copy.

Thanks for stopping on by today to comment.

Have yourselves a very good weekend.
Stay safe (and hopefully dry) up there, brother.