Monday Musings...

(...ouch...)

Well, I don't know about you, but I'm ready for fall already. Had MY fill of summer heat and humidity.
Kinda weird to see the thermostat set to 74 and see the indoor temp at 76 with the central A/C constantly running.
Now THAT is hot out.
Our Hoosierland weather for today might bring us more of the same, with temps again climbing into the mid-90s. The humidity will also follow along with a chance of a shower (which will not help a damn bit). Skies will be partly cloudy.
A nice day to stay inside and watch the dashboard of your car melt...lol.

Now, what say we get a nice COOL refreshing drink (iced coffee for me, thank you) to begin the day, as we see what else has been going on, hmm?
*** First out of the sauna is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
JUNE 18 -
---It's National Go Fishing Day

(what are you, nuts???)
---It's National Splurge Day

(I did my own splurging recently...keep reading)
*** Next, we couldn't start a weekend in Ft. Wayne THESE days without some "fun by the locals". 

That included a very nice drug bust. Here's the story:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38431897/four-arrested-following-searches-in-neighboring-apartments
This took place in the 7700 block of Aboite Ctr Rd. around 2030 hrs Thursday night.
The searches took place as part of a crackdown on the local MLG/300 gang (never heard of them before). The mac luck gang? More like the run outta luck gang.,..LOL.

Now THAT is a good haul.

((During the searches, police say detectives recovered an AR-15 rifle, a Glock .45 pistol, a stolen Taurus 9mm pistol, a kilogram of marijuana, $11,150 in cash along with paraphernalia.  The investigation included neighborhood complaints, surveillance, and traffic stops.))

MLG300 - the "L" must stand for LOSER!

Arrested were(L to R) Lionel Weaver, 19 (6100 block of E. State Blvd), Jalen Drake, 21 (4600 block of S. Hanna St.), Michael Green, 18 (no address given), and Joseph Britt, 19. Black gang members in Ft. Wayne?  Now who'da thunk that?
Britt was featured in my archive post from 06 December 2017. And his address then was listed as 700 Taylor St. Nice to know he's been staying out of trouble...NOT!
*** Next up, and continuing with starting this past weekend off with a bang (or several), we have this story:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38431594/police-investigate-thursday-night-shooting-in-fort-wayne

I'm thinking these are the Southbridge Apts behind Menards. Been a fun place to avoid for years.
((Police are investigating a shooting that injured at least one person Thursday night.
The shooting happened south of Tillman Road. Police Dispatchers say at least one person suffered serious injuries. 
They were shot in the 8200 block of Lakeside Court inside an apartment complex.))
*** Next up, and if you thought you might take a trip to Glenbrook Square Mall to get away from the nonsense, think again:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20180616/man-shot-in-glenbrook-square-parking-lot

Police tape around your car?

Yes, a shooting in the south side parking lot left one man injured. The mall went on lockdown briefly, and no suspects were taken into custody. Mall shoppers were not at risk.

Is this the new "shop w/ a cop"?

I know I feel a lot safer when I see officers around the mall carrying their AR-15s.
*** Next a good column by Kevin Leininger concerning our ability to "rant" in a public venue:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/06/16/kevin-leininger-memo-to-those-who-would-rather-rant-than-reason-persuasion-is-not-a-four-letter-word/
Now I know where he's coming from here, and that's why I don;t bother with all the "social(ist) media" out there.
It's hard enough arguing with idiots, ao why bother with them in a situation where no gets "face-to-face", right?
I will admit that when it comes to rants (where deserved) all beta are off with me...I will call things AS THEY ARE...that way people will know precisely where I stand.
But, to each his/her own.
*** Next up, time for another shopping adventure as we see:
"What on God's green earth is Bob buying on eBay NOW?"

---Okay, so my first deal was an Avengers Infinity War magazine...
Inside are lots of behind the scenes stuff and such.

Got that for less than HALF retail price, too.
When did printing and publishing get so bloody expensive, anyway?
---The next deal was an LED spotlight to replace the one that developed a broken switch (and won't come on at all, in spite of the fact that otherwise, it should work perfectly).

Had to cough up about $14 for that, but that's way below retail cost at the major big box stores (I checked around a lot - most are $20 and UP.). And, it has a battery pack rather than being rechargeable.
---Last, but certainly not least was a Funko Legacy ROCKETEER action figure (in box).

I wanted one of these 6 iuch figures since they first came out, but they were a bit pricey (around $20).

It's a really good figure, although the head sculpt of Cliff isn't up to par. Everything else IS, however, right down to the Mauser C96 pistol he has in the movie. They even molded the wad of chewing gum on the rocket pack (if you saw the movie, you know what I'm talking about).

Personally, this is one of the MOST underrated movies in recent history, Barely cleared budget at the box office ($46 Mil - 6 Mil over the budget), and criticism was mixed. Many critics LIKED it, but it wasn't as well-received by the public,. It has developed a cult following since.
I saw it when the movie first came out (1991) and I LOVED it. Directed by Joe Johnston (who also directed Captain America - The First Avenger), it's a wonderful period piece, and smacks of "edge-of-the-seat"-type Saturday afternoon movie adventures.
It's a really good film about regular people in extraordinary circumstances, and is well acted all around with a great cast and perhaps the best score from the late James Horner since ST2 - The Wrath of Khan.

I paid $12 (total - including shipping) for the figure (damaged box - figure complete and pristine), and they're still trending at OVER $22 bucks today. That was an excellentd bargain, but you know me...I never turn down something this good.
*** Next up, time to stop by our "Kitten Corner"...

Nothing going on outside...too hot.

The kids had a good weekend, but they were not outside in the heat. Lots of time napping, eating, litterpan filling...you know the score.
Violet has to have her "face-rub" time with me.
She gets on the ledge in the living room, walks around the castles and rubs her body against my face (that's worth a mouthful of cat hair...lol).

Better to stay where it's cool.

Gallifrey is just his usual "clumsy-affectionate" self with his jumping up on you and tilting his head for a rub. They make any day better by far.
*** Next, let's check in with "Midnight and Company"...

What? I'm saving my energy.

Our furry twosome had a decent weekend, in spite of it being SO damn hot outside. Whiskers spent the entire weekend at or near the patio, while Midnight was busy wandering off (missing a lunch or two).

Nice job...very evenly mowed.

He did stick around long enough to supervise my lawn mowing early on.

It look LOTS cooler in there.

I changed their water a few times daily, trying to keep it cool for them (who likes tepid water, anyway?).

It is a bit cooler under here.

They're both not eating as much as they usually do, no doubt due to the heat, but that's fine./ the food is still there for them when they do get hungry.
Other than that, all was pretty much well for everyone with four legs.
*** Last back to the sweatbox...yesterday was a day to take things easy, being Father's Day and all. Wifey even got me a funny card (from the cats)...lol.

But, there are those who like to push the envelope, like when it comes to having the smallest house on the block, and then try to accommodate the largest number of people.

Those living next door to us HAD to have a get-together (baby-daddy day), and naturally, the front lawn was the place to have it, complete with swimming pool (more like wading), a cookout, and blankets and an umbrella (for shade. From the street, that had to look ghetto.
Lots of kids around, but I have to admit that for all the frivolity, it wasn't that loud...must have been the heat (thank you, Lord).
Sometimes, you get lucky. Sometimes, the weather is your friend.
And sometimes, people actually act in a relatively normal (civil) manner.

Would we be so fortunate down here that things like this were the norm...and not the exception.
That would take things back to the way they used to be years ago...whatta concept, huh?
In that, there is always hope, isn't there?

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