Friday Follies...

Welcome to the end of the week...at last.
And, it's been one soggy-ass week at that, hasn't it?
(we're not done with the rain just yet)
We're also staring at the ONLY Friday the 13th this year (next year, we get two).
So, no walking under ladders, or letting black cats cross your path...kapeesh?
Meanwhile, our Hoosierland weather will see us with mostly sunny skies, mild breezes, and temps reaching to around 67 degrees. Ah, a nice respite between weather fronts. Get that gardening stuff done TODAY.
So, without any further ado, let's get that morning drink poured and parked close by, as we see what's going on elsewhere, shall we?
*** First off of the freshly-mowed yard is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
May 13 -
---Today is NATIONAL CROUTON DAY

(I'm thinking salad-time here)
---It's also NATIONAL APPLE PIE DAY

(Never took a shine to this, but Dutch apple CAKE gets my vote)
---It's NATIONAL FROG JUMPING DAY

(Calaveras County must be loving this)
---And, it's NATIONAL FRUIT COCKTAIL DAY

(remember when this came with dinners at restaurants?)
---It's NATIONAL BLAME SOMEONE ELSE DAY

(Obama's been doing this for damn near EIGHT years of days)
*** And since it's the end of the week, let's look to the following 48 hours after today and see what takes place.
May 14 -
---Saturday is NATIONAL ARCHERY DAY

(Robin Hoods of the world unite!)
---It's also NATIONAL BUTTERMILK BISCUIT DAY

(good any time with anything)
---It's NATIONAL DANCE LIKE A CHICKEN DAY

(never liked that song or the dance...sorry)
---And, it's NATIONAL UNDERGROUND AMERICA DAY

(has nothing to do with marijuana tunnels under our southern border)
---It's CORNELIA DE LANGE SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY

(google it up - that's your assignment for today, kids)  )
---It's also NATIONAL MINIATURE GOLF DAY

(MY kind of golfing)
---It's STAMP OUT HUNGER - FOOD DRIVE DAY

(we got our bag to fill from the USPS carrier already)
May 15 -
---Sunday is NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP DAY

(they always have me at "chocolate".)
---And, it's NATIONAL NYLON STOCKING DAY

(and a woman's leg never looked better)
---It's also PEACE OFFICER'S MEMORIAL DAY

(A day to remember the fallen in the service of our communities)
There you have it...lots of things to get you motivated and thinking.
(and to keep you off the streets and out of jail)
*** Next, another one of those "shooting-dropoffs" at one of our hospitals.
Here's the story link (such as it is so far):
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/Man-critical-after-shooting

Seems to be the "new" M.O. for those in the ghettohood these days.
I mean, who wants a ride in an ambulance, when you can bleed in a friend's ride, right?
This took place today around 0300 hrsat a medical center located in the 700 block of Braodway. The driver left the building before police could arrive (don't they ALWAYS?)
The victim had a gunshot wound to the neck and is listed in critical condition and was taken to another facility.
FWPD investigators are (what else) investigating the hell out of this to determine the location of the shooting,
(my bets are for the SE side...c'mon now, who ELSE is up at those hours, plays with guns, and causes mayhem but black males or maybe an Hispanic now and then, right?)
*** Next up, and speaking of our ghettohood black males, we have THIS little gem:
http://wane.com/2016/05/12/police-arrest-3-men-after-pursuit/

This took place yesterday afternoon around 1400 hrs, when a detective tried to pull over a vehicle for speeding in the 2600 block of E. Washington Blvd.
Police saw the driver and passengers toss narcotics and handguns out of the windows of the vehicle.
A Ruger P85 went through the windshield of an unoccupied car, as the driver sped down Pennsylvania Ave, and a Glock 19 was found in the same block. The three bailed and attempted to run, but were stopped by a barbed wire fence.
Arrested were Kareem Jerome McPherson, 33, of DETROIT, Ashton Demontre Buchanan, 25, and Varnell David Coe, 25, of REDFORD, MICHIGAN.

         Buchanan            McPherson                Coe                  

THOSE perps LOOK like the LOSERS they are..some ugly "mo-fos" there.
Sure glad we're not having perps from OTHER areas come to OUR city to sell drugs, carry illegal guns and create chaos...aren't YOU?
Now, all three are facing a slew of charges  both large and small, but in ALL of those charges brought against these three, not ONE mention of LITTERING....I mean WTH?  You always let the small shit slide? LOL!
*** Next up, so our outgoing (and not soon enough) "prez" has decided to stick his sorry ass into the whole SCHOOL BATHROOM ISSUE (no real pun intended there...lol).
Here's the story link:
http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/obama-order-public-school/2016/05/12/id/728608/

Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot!

Are you effin SERIOUS???
Who the F*CK allows these delusional assholes to permit this kind of sick "edict" ??? We live in frigging Venezuela now?
Transgender bathroom (and locker rooms) in our SCHOOLS???
Scads of teens, pre-teens, tweens, and elementary age kids all choosing WHICH restroom to change clothes, take a piss or crap in? Are you kidding me?
This president is totally OUT of control.
Our educational system IS in the toilet, I'll give you that one, but really, this has got to be the final straw. I'd love to see such an uprising and push back AGAINST (stupid-ass) mandates like these, that ALL those federal agencies will back the hell off and crawl BACK under the rocks that came from, including YOU, "mister president".

Not enough lines blurred in society?

I'm POSITIVE that we have SO MANY more IMPORTANT (and less intrusive) issues to address when it comes to EDUCATION than what effin bathroom little Tommy wants to use whenever he "feels" like getting in touch with his feminine (read curious) side, right?
*** Next, let's change gears...yes, I did in fact mow the back yard (again) yesterday morning.

Sweet...and somewhat serene.

It's growing like crazy with this rain, and turned out nice (not bad for an old city boy).
And, as usual, I had my "supervisor" stop by to monitor my progress.

Stop taking pictures and get back to mowing, Bob.

S'ok, he works for peanuts...LOL.
Always nice to have a sense of accomplishment, especially in an area where our "Fortress" stands.
*** Last back to the vegetable garden...every single day, we hear of more lunacy taking place in our society (and the world in general).

When did it become vogue to ignore the honest-to-God important things and concentrate on such asinine items like I mentioned above?
If this isn't BIZARRO WORLD, it should be. We're becoming deserving of the moniker.
And too many of us are just allowing it to unfold in front of our eyes, without saying "boo".

THAT has got to change before we lose this country to the bay-shit crazy lunatics who appear to be in the process of taking over the asylum. We cannot permit that to occur.
The one officer that chased down those 3 perps that were speeding was proving that The Broken Window Theory DOES WORK...stop the small crap before it becomes the BIG crap.

But the schools are allowing transgender bathrooms, due to some mandate from "on high", because those schools fear losing federal money? When did it come down to DOLLARS AND CENTS at the exclusion of COMMON SENSE?
Seems they tossed out the latter for the former, and that's not helping ANY of the kids, or our educational system, and certainly not the future of our society.

Better to tell the feds to piss the hell off (pun intended), screw their blood money, and do as much (or more) with less.
Our liberties and freedoms are at risk, make no mistake about that.
And they won't be taken away in some widespread wholesale manner; it will be done in such small and seemingly "innocent" increments, that we'll barely notice.
So far, it seems to be working, and that's a scary portent to a much larger and impending problem, which could well plunge us into anarchy, socialism...or worse (if you can imagine that).

Let's practice Occam's Razor on this one, folks.

We NEED to stand up and rail against these powers, which we KNOW to be evil.
We need to stand OUR ground, and never give an inch, and we must retain that which this country was founded upon, and it certainly wasn't what we're seeing today.
Only THEN, will we rise again to where this nation belongs as a world LEADER...and not some here today, gone tomorrow politically-correct "trend-setter".
Therein lies the message for today.
Have yourselves a great weekend.

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

Thoughts For Thursday...

We're fast closing in on the weekend, and with this record rainfall we had so far this week, I'm quite sure many of us will be mowing something over the next several days.
Yesterday did manage to have a bit of sunshine showing up.
Our Hoosierland weather for today will have us with some sun early on, showers showing up by the afternoon (perhaps a thunderstorm). Cloudy skies will follow along, and our temps will reach into the mid-70s. Guess it will feel a bit on the muggy side with that moisture, too.
So, while we await what the day offers, let's get that morning drink poured as we all take a look at what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the starting gate is the answer to our WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"Seek freedom and become a captive of your desires, seek discipline and find your liberty."
This was spoken by science-fiction novelist Frank Herbert (October 8 1920 - February 11 1986) who is best known for his DUNE series (saga). He was also a newspaper journalist, photographer, short story writer, book reviewer, ecological consultant, and lecturer.
Here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Herbert
And here is his official (Dune) site:
http://www.dunenovels.com/author/frank-herbert
Herbert was born in Tacoma, Washington and, because of a bad environment at home, ran away when he was 18 to Salem Oregon to live with an aunt and uncle. Enrolling in a school there, he graduated the following year and lied about his age to get his first job at the Glendale Star newspaper.
He served with the Navy Seabees for 6 months as a photographer during WW2 before he was given a medical discharge.
Post war, he took classes in creative writing and sold two pulp adventure stores to Esquire and Modern Romance magazines.
It wasn't until the early 1950s that Herbert published his first science fiction story in Startling Stories magazine. His career as a novelist began in 1955 with the publication of Dragon in The Sea, which was about a submarine in the 21st century and predicted worldwide conflicts over oil consumption and production.
Herbert began researching DUNE in 1959, and after six years of writing, was complete, but was much longer than commercial science fiction of that time.
It was originally presented as 8 installments in Analog magazine.
In much of Herbert's work there are a number of key themes such as ecology, leadership, human survival and evolution, religion, politics and power, and how language shapes thought (to name just a handful).
A visionary author after a fashion.
The WIKI is a good read and lends background to one of a few men who shaped the genre of science fiction in the 20th century.
*** Next is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
May 12 -
---Today is NATIONAL FIBROMYALGIA AWARENESS DAY

(not something you want to suffer from)
---It's also NATIONAL LIMERICK DAY

(please, nothing about "Nantucket"...lol)
---It's NATIONAL NUTTY FUDGE DAY

(did he say "fudge"?)
---And, it's NATIONAL ODOMETER DAY

(unlike time, you CAN turn it back. Just don't get caught)
*** Next up, time for another installment of "What has Bob purchased on eBay lately?"
Glad you asked, because when it comes to online shopping, never forget my motto:
"Persistence DOES pay off".
A few years back (For Christmas) Wifey got me the DVD of Spiderman 3, and I've been looking for the first two movies.

Widescreen version, too.

Well, I managed to get BOTH the first and second flicks.
But that's not all.
Stores are still selling them for just under $15 (per movie), I got BOTH for UNDER EIGHT BUCKS!
But wait, there's still more...(pray tell)
BOTH movies are the TWO-DISC set with special features. Those go for about $20 each.
So, I have four discs of Spiderman stuff for less than the price of ONE single-disc movie.
Not a bad haul.

And I need a space on a wall.

I also got a very nice 12x18 silk-screen (cloth no less) poster from Captain America-Civil War.
All I need is a decent frame for that.
There are a couple other items in transit and when they get here, we'll take a look at them.
So remember, online shopping CAN be productive and fun...and for a lot less than walking into any brick and mortar store. Just take the time to educate yourself, and to be frugal. You CAN get what you're looking for.
*** Next up, this Frank Gray story caught my eye, because a slightly similar thing happened to me not that long ago...but the ending to my tale turned out a bit better. Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/frank-gray/Wallet-s-contents-can-t-all-be-replaced-13011252

Now, I didn't loose my wallet, just my driver's license, and after several months, managed to get it back, because the store I left it at had the foresight to hang onto it (even if they didn't contact me to let me know).
Plus, it pays to ask if they found it...lol.
In this man's case, someone lifted the wallet from the counter and God knows where it and the contents wound up.
Seems to be the easiest thing to do in a situation such as this, would be to just turn the wallet into store personnel.
They can always just contact the person who left the wallet (or license) at the store...way too simple a solution.
*** Next, and speaking of solutions, ever have a problem that SHOULD have an "easy fix", but you can't seem to find one to save your life?

Sure you have. We all do sooner or later.
And often times, we can point the finger of blame at society and how it's been coddling people for several decades. The end result of such mishandling of human beings is the sense of entitlement, among other things that stem from this, such as a lack of respect, lack of boundaries, and other stuff I've mentioned here.
Take our neighbor's "kids" (please) for example.
They brought home this basketball hoop-stand from Christ knows where, and set it up in their driveway.
Sounds harmless enough, right? Not really.

The scene of the stupidity - behind a HUGE back yard.

The kids scramble about and the ball OFTEN goes into the street (only ten feet away), and even makes it ACROSS the street onto OUR property. Not very smart at all.
(Pays to read the KEEP OUT - PRIVATE PROPERTY sign that's hanging on the garage).
Yesterday, I heard several car horns, and that tends to startle you, because you wonder if some kid just became a statistic. Plus, the way these mooks DRIVE around here (one speeder in excess of 60 MPH zooming up Monroe, and it SURE as hell wasn't a cop) is example enough to make you stay away from the streets altogether.

That's not YOUR side, kids, it's MY side

This is yet another issue the FWPD should be dealing with...BEFORE we get someone injured or killed by reckless (or otherwise impaired) drivers, because we've got at least one for every five vehicles that fits the criteria in this city. I'll guarantee that.

Their playground is EVERYWHERE

Why these kids don't use that BIG back yard for basketball eludes me, The driveway is probably the worst place, with puddles, ruts, uneven ground...everything that does NOT lend itself to playing ANY sport. And what about that (new)  McMillen community center?

These kids need to TRY this.

Yesterday, these kids dig out a damn football and I find them chasing it onto our property right up to the yard fence/gate. I asked them before about keeping the ball over "there" (their side), and this time I told them that AGAIN.
Then I got some lip from one of the punks in the group, and I said "I'll cap your mother-effin ass".
(8-12 against me - yeah, a fair fight - that they'll lose) This is going to be a LONG summer.
There is simply no easy fix for this problem. Baby-mama NEVER supervises her tribe. And the kids have friends over (and none of them knows WTH is meant by respect). Calling the police won't do much (if anything), and I can't find any city department that can properly address this. What "quality-of-life" ?
*** Last back to the garage, and because the last story bugs the crap out of me (and I need to vent)...what the hell has gotten into people these days with the manner in which they supposed to be PARENTING these children?

Not enough signs to go around our part of town.

Many folks treat PETS better, watch over them more, and have them on shorter leashes.
It's like these so-called "guardians" have all obtained lobotomies when they HAD these children. Is THIS part of Obamacare now?
What ever happened to NOT talking back to people?
Is this JUST a black cultural thing?
(sure seems that way)
I used to really LIKE people of any color (in general). Hell, I grew up with them, played with them, went to school with them, ate lunch and worked alongside them, and NONE of those people were anything close to what these young snot-nose, thugs-in-training are becoming. It sure tests your belief that we still CAN all get along, because these kids can't be bothered, in spite of the fact that they have been allowed to be MORE EQUAL than their other-raced counterparts. Is this making me racist? Nah, just nicely BIASED.
(and aren't we all somewhere in our lives?)
You're a good black person? PROVE it and SHOW ME. That's my maxim these day. Same goes for most ANYONE around here. I'm not leaving anything to chance, especially those living near us.
There are some black folks that still warrant my treating them as my equal and fellow human being, but they are few and far between. The rest of them could fall off the planet tomorrow, and I wouldn't bat an eye.
And that is much of the societal problem we have today. It's the divisive disconnect with black people, Latino people, anyone else of any ethnicity or religion, and that carried over into the law-enforcement realm.
Everyone distrusts one another (when they're not busy sucking up the sensationalistic pablum spewed by media sources), and with no real reason.
Sorry, but the word WELCOME was never stenciled on my forehead, and the sooner people around here learn that, the better off they're going to be. I'm no one's doormat...(nor should any of you be, either).
Yeah, this is something our mayor will NEVER address, nor will our FWPD chief, nor will our neighborhood association, and  certainly NOT the black community "leaders".
Rocking the boat and telling the truth doesn't seem to be in their lexicon any longer.
That will shake your faith in mankind's future, do not doubt me on this.

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

Humpday Happenings...

Now, THAT was some serious RAIN last evening, wasn't it?
The local tally had Fort Wayne at about 2.5 INCHES of precipitation. And, there were those "flash flood" warnings going out.
At least last night's weather event kept the loudass boomcars off my streets for a time...that was SO refreshing to NOT hear them for a change.
Our Hoosierland weather for today will see us with some fog early on, maybe a leftover shower and mostly cloudy skies. Temps will reach into the mid-70s today and yes, it will feel a bit on the muggy side.
We're expecting more rain for the next couple days, so I wouldn't stow that umbrella JUST yet.
Now, what say we get ourselves a nice soothing morning drink, as we take in all the other things that have been going on elsewhere, hmm?
*** First out of the rain barrel is our WHO SAID THAT? quote of the week:
"Seek freedom and become a captive of your desires, seek discipline and find your liberty."

It would seem that more folks would be better served by desiring liberty, rather than rampant freedom, and I can see why. Still, liberty is something that produces freedom, and not the other way around.
So who said that? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back in Tacoma Washington...
*** Next up,  is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
May 11 -
---Today is NATIONAL FOAM ROLLING DAY

(think of this as a poor man's massage)
---It's also NATIONAL TWILIGHT ZONE DAY

(A good way to observe this is to visit the SE side of Fort Wayne...or watch some classic reruns)
---It's also NATIONAL SCHOOL NURSE DAY

They were NEVER this cute when I was in school!!!

(unsung heroes of our educational system)
---It's NATIONAL RECEPTIONISTS DAY

(those who run interference for "the boss")
---And, it's NATIONAL THIRD SHIFT WORKERS DAY

(for all those running the "graveyard" and screwing up their circadian rhythm)
*** Next up, a pretty big deal went down last evening at the city council meeting.
Here's the story link:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/Council-thwarts-city-s-annexation-plan-by-a-party-line-7-2-vote

The peasants are revolting.

Our "king", Mayor Henry was dealt a losing hand last night as the city council voted DOWN the North IV Annexation deal. Sorry...no land grab this week,  your highness.
It was interesting to hear all the questions posed to the city reps and how the answers were not exactly clear and forthcoming (typical).
The kicker for me was when council president, Russ Jehl asked the reps "Why is this a case of we need to pass the plan to see what's in it?" to which he got a rousing round of applause from the audience, which was comprised of many of the affected residents in the proposed annexation area.

The "Magnificent Seven" RIDE AGAIN...LOL.

Guess you really CAN'T fool all the people all the time, especially when dealing with democrats.
And speaking of which, the council vote went 7-2 AGAINST annexation (and their reasons were SOUND ones), with the ONLY TWO "yay" votes being Geoff Paddock and Glynn Hines (democrats both).

Sorry, guys, but...YOU LOSE!!!

That's pretty sad when you don't have enough backbone to go against your "king" (or even see the logic and reason behind not voting for the annexation) when you KNOW he's wrong, unless you've been SO duped for SO long. Apparently, the people DO NOT MATTER to these two councilmen.
(well Hines only cares about "his" people - Paddock just follows like an obedient pet). Good to see the dems get a kick in the teeth in this city, for once.
Like to see (much) more of that downtown.
*** Next up, I noticed one of those days where this blog's page views went damn near off the chart. Just over 400 views...kinda odd, really, as I typically get under 200 (on a good cay) AND, this is the "best blog about the goings on in Fort Wayne (and beyond) that's hardly read"...lol.

The extent of MY social media.

(yeah, I got my own "tag-line" now...HA!)
But, I also noticed ALL the media sources parroting what I had posted yesterday morning about the latest homicide victim.
I did some digging around and found that story from Lawrence, Indiana (the huge pot bust from last year), and I think I had my stuff up before the other local media outlets. Sure seemed that way.
Guess they like seeing facts. Can't blame 'em for that, can I?
Anyone wanna put me on their payroll for reporting? Just asking.
*** Next, Looks like even MORE fallout from the flawed Obummercare "mandate".
Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/business/Most-long-term-care-costing-more-12995168

Thanks for NOTHING, douche-bag.

OUCH! The cost of a private nursing home room is up to a whopping $92K annually!
Cripes, who (beside the independently wealthy and socially-secure) can afford THAT kind of scratch from a loved one's care when they can no longer care for themselves?
Coverage costs are ALSO rising. Really?
Even the National Council on Aging is seeing the system fail it's people.

"It's getting more and more difficult for the average family", they say. And they're correct.
Guess Obama DID want the old people to just die off. Thing is, HE will get old sooner than he thinks. Maybe then, he can just check out and save the American people some money. We can "hope" for that "change".
*** Next,  seems that Fort Wayne is becoming one of "those" cities that just HAS to have some sort of PUBLIC MURAL. Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/entertainment/Amplify-Art--Artlink--North-Anthony-Corridor-mural-12883716

Now, I was an art major in high school (talk about pissing way an opportunity - yeah, I never followed up on THAT one), so I can appreciate real art, in damn near any medium it's presented.
But, in the last few decades, I've seen cities embrace all this "modern" crap, which (in many cases) looks like an aftermath of an auto accident. Then there's that crucifix in a jar of urine posing as "art"...well some people need to lay off the drugs and put down the anti-Christianity, liberal agenda, don't they?

What in the hell...? Am I having a stroke?

I've seen murals on buildings many times. The one that comes to mind for me,was a SPIDERMAN one back in Philly (this was the late 80s) out in West Philly. Was well done, and to this day, have no idea who painted it. Probably no longer there (maybe the building was torn down).

Sinatra mural - Philadelphia

My old stompin' grounds of Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly love (not any longer, sad to say) has become the "unofficial" street mural capital over the years. Thought that used to be Los Angeles?
Then, there are these "social" murals - onse that depict some "ongoing struggle" of one ethnicity against the system (everyone), or some celebratory mural about being black or Latino.
Funny, never see anything about white folks? Another "prohibited" form of expression here?
Maybe THEY prefer their art in a MUSEUM or at an EXHIBITION? I know I do.
Plus, even artists have to EAT and survive. Better to sell some of that art, right?
Some of these murals are done well. Others look like a Peter Max acid trip (I'm dating myself).

Whole building "mural" - Philadelphia

Some cover ONE wall. Others cover the whole damn building.
Let's hope Fort Wayne doesn't get carried away along the North Anthony corridor and winds up turning it into a real estate freakshow.
*** Last back to the rain gutters...there are those who believe that art imitates life.

There are still others that believe the converse to that - life imitates art.
I think it's a two-way street,  It has to be.
To many people who pursue artistic ventures, it's a way to express oneself, just as a writer would, or a musician.
And along those lines, such things can be quite lucrative if the opportunity presents itself, and you're willing to WORK at it and chase that dream to make it your reality.
Now, those who "tag" buildings (or other property) - the graffiti "artists" are there just to be a pain in some city's ass.

I've seen the rise of THAT as well back in Philly. Railroad and inner city elevated trains covered with some tagger's "name". Philly had to start coating things with anti-graffiti paint...just to make it easier to clean stuff off.
Like anything in life, TOO MUCH is never a good thing, and Benjamin Franklin told us as much.
EVERYTHING in moderation - NOTHING to excess.
Well, today, it's all ABOUT excess, isn't it?
Excessiveness sells, whether it's on the news, in our stores, or along the lines of every form of social media.
I like to use the word "sensationalism" as an adjunct to excessive behaviors, because THAT gets the attention.

Can any of us be happy or content chasing after such things as those? Not really.
It's another way of putting WANTS (or desires) before NEEDS, I think.
And the eerie part to all of this...we have no idea where it will all end, do we?
Meet your needs first, and much of the rest will take care of itself in it's own good time.

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