Humpday Happening...

It's the middle of the first week of the new year...and feeling a LOT more like the winter it currently is, isn't it?
Time to put that sweatshirt back on, get out the long sleeves, and get back into layering clothing when spending any time outside.
Our Hoosierland weather for this Wednesday will have us with partly cloudy skies (you mean we have a chance to see the sun?), some windy conditions, and an expected high of around 23 degrees (feel free to toss in a wind-chill, which will make it feel more like less than 10 degrees out there. Plan on any standing water left over from yesterday to be frozen, so take care when driving or walking.

Now, how's about we go get that hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa poured while we take a gander at what's been going on in some other places, hmm?
*** First out of the laundry chute is our first WHO SAID THAT? quote of 2017:
"New Year's Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time."
I think that for many of us, this rings very true. The last thing that ANY fool needs is indeed...encouragement.
(that certainly applies to the leftards, who seem to be self-encouraging)
So, WHO said that? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at the Giggleswick School...
*** Next up, we bring you our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
January 4 -
---Today is National Spaghetti Day

(got a feeling that's gonna be this Sunday at our home)
---It's also National Trivia Day

(The sum of all the numbers on a Roulette wheel is 666 - something to think about)
*** Next up, let's see what kind of STUPID we have going on.
---Here's a little update on the Regency Inn shooting. Here's the link:
http://wane.com/2017/01/03/gun-goes-off-during-party-man-seriously-hurt/

Whatta dumbass.

Nice mug of the shooter, one Christian D. Myers, who OBVIOUSLY does not know HOW to properly treat a firearm.
The "weapon of choice" was not a handgun, but an "AK-style" rifle.
The victim, Tyler Eddington was damn lucky that round didn't explode his head like a damn melon.
Marijuana was also found in the motel room (stupid needs an assist sometimes), along with another weapon. Bullet holes wee found in several places, which goes to show that a high powered round such as this will easily go THROUGH lots of things quite well.
---Indianapolis is looking to be off to a good start with TWO homicides already.
Here's the story link:
http://wane.com/2017/01/04/2-employees-found-shot-killed-inside-indianapolis-restaurant/

The double homicide took place at Jordan’s Fish & Chicken in the 9100 block of E. 21st Street around 0100 hrs this morning. Two males were the victims and worked at the eatery.

My guess (based on location and "cuisine" of the place) is that both the vics and shooter(s) were most likely black. No other information was forthcoming,
Can Fort Wayne be far behind?
*** Next up, and moving PAST the stupid, Tom Didier (3rd district) has again been named as the City Council president of Fort Wayne. Here's the story:
http://wane.com/2017/01/03/didier-elected-city-council-president/

Now, I really LIKE Didier, but he's not exactly his late uncle, Jim,  who was shot and killed in his store close to 20 years ago a block away from our house.
I think Didier will be a bit more willing to rubber stamp more things than others(like Arp and Barranda) on council.
At least Russ Jehl (last president) had the stones to QUESTION a lot more and provide needed insight to expenditures that seemed extravagant.
We'll have to see if Didier has learned anything by being away from the "big chair" since 2013.
*** Next, a very good article in the J-G (really) about FWPD Chief Reed and his take on why crime is the way it is in our city (and around the nation). Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/Working-on-solution-to-violence-17036113

This is a must-read for anyone who gives a damn about crime in Fort Wayne, and what IS being done as well as what CAN be done to slow it's advance, if not lessen it to a greater degree.
Got a good video to watch, as well.
I think Reed has the backbone the last two chiefs seemed to lack, and while I don't think he's quite another Sheriff Dave Clarke (Milwaukee), he's pretty close, and that's a good start for this city.
*** Next up, let's see what's going on at our "Kitten Corner"...
You know...there is cute, and then there's DAMN cute.

Now, it's MINE!

These two furballs love to perform on the stage of the latter.
That is, when they're not trying to get my Captain America figure to "play" with them.

"Just look cute...let ME do the talking."

Both of them are "learning" what climbing is all about, and love to get up onto the tables we have around the house, much to my chagrin.
So far, a few chiding words or lifting them from the table back onto the florr is sufficient.
And there is always the trusty laser pointer. That gets them running from anywhere pronto.
Last night, they both decided to "share the chair", and it was definitely a "Kodak moment".

Getting a bit "crowded", don'cha think?

(we still remember that reference, right?)
At least Violet is still quite the lady, while "Mr. Destructo" aka Gallifrey has toned down his behavior to something a bit more sedate. I guess having my Hulk figure do a little "smash" (at him) took care of that...lol.
*** Last back to the clothes dryer...I wish I could say we'll see less stupid this year.

I think people will continue in their pursuit of dumbassery, and I wish I were wrong.
Given the record number of homicides in Ft. Wayne last year, this year could go one of two ways:

1) As in years with high rates of the past, we could see a drastic DROP in homicides, which would follow along as it did in 1998 and 2014.
2) We could see a slight drop, which would signify that we've gotten into a "routine", but I think with the addition of 28 more FWPD officers on the streets, it may not be the case.
There is a third alternative that I didn't want to include, and that would be for crime rates to actually RISE across the board, as they have done in other (smaller) cities. This is a trend I do not want to see, but given the nature of the "beasts" out there, such activity has the potential to thrive.

I predict we can make it to 30 homicides in this city this year, given the number of gang members and the reluctance of the minority communities to actively seek to quell such crime in their own areas.
I would love to see things return to how is was say, 20 years ago, especially down here where we live, but I'm not holding my breath of that one.

We, the people still have the ability to affect the change needed in ANY community to change things for the better...or allow what has been to continue.
As always, the choice in such matters is OURS to make (or ignore).
Let's hope more people choose wisely along such lines.

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