Friday Follies - End of 2017 Edition...

This was one of those years where you are so GLAD that it's coming to an end.
Now, all we have to do is HOPE that NEXT year will be better...because in some ways, it can;t get that much worse...lol.
After this weekend, we will get to start things anew. Let's not have a repeat of 2017.

Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us MORE cold (but it IS 13 degrees outside this morning - a veritable heat wave), with mostly cloudy skies, temps rising to about 15 degrees, and a chance of snow showers later this afternoon and evening to around midnight...that's on top of the inch we already got LAST night (oh...joy).
So bundle up, take extra care outside and do drive cautiously...

Now, let's get that hot cup of Friday Fortitude, otherwise known as coffee...or tea...or cocoa poured and parked, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First off of the well-salted streets is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
DECEMBER 29 -
---It's National Pepper Pot Day

(It's pretty tasty, and will warm you up on a day like this)
---It's No Interruptions Day

(yeah, like that will happen...heh)
---It's Tick-Tock Day

(must be another "timey-wimey" thing)
*** Next, and since we are at week's end (and the end of the year), let's see what the following 48 hours brings us...
DECEMBER 30 -
---Saturday is Bacon Day

(now that is a great way to begin ANY day...pass me some scrambled eggs with that)
---It's Falling Needles Family Fest Day

(THIS is worth a day of observance? More like a damn mess on the floor)
---It's National Bicarbonate of Soda Day

(shouldn't this be AFTER the 31st?)
DECEMBER 31 -
---It's Leap Second Time Adjustment Day

(yeah...timey-wimey...you got it)
---It's Make Up Your Mind Day

(about WHAT, exactly?)
---It's National Champagne Day

(gee, I wonder WHY?)
---It's New Year's Eve

(that's why...and be sure to get out the guns to "celebrate"...NOT!)
*** Next up, there is a disturbing "trend" (that I mentioned for a while if you've been following this blog), and that's the rise in homicide rates.

Here's one link to our local situation:
http://wane.com/2017/12/28/fwpd-dozens-of-2017-shootings-still-under-investigation/
This year (2017) is now listed as the 4th worst year for homicides, and it's something we're seeing with more frequency in recent years. Forty seems to be the new number when in times past, if we hit 25, that was something.

And, as can be expected, the MAJORITY are in the MINORITY communities (SE)...BUT, the FWPD is saying (now) what I predicted years ago; that such crimes would indeed migrate to the SW and then to the other 2 quadrants.

What used to be mostly a SE problem has metastasized into the rest of our city...and what was done to halt it's spread? Apparently not that much, otherwise it would have basically remained down here in the crotch of Ft. Wayne.
The future of homicides here (and solving them) doesn't appear to be as bright a picture as can be painted...does it?
*** Next, and along the criminal lines, there comes this story:
http://wane.com/2017/12/28/detroit-teen-wanted-for-slaying-arrested-in-fort-wayne/

It's bad enough we have too much of our OWN "local talent" when it comes to shootings, but now, we're bringing them in from DETROIT. This teenage piece of crap is the latest to catch the eye of the FWPD.
He slays someone in the Motor City and comes HERE to "hide out"...wonderful.
Quantry Brown, 18 is the loser in question here. Has a nice rap sheet as well...wonder why?
Poverty? Nah.
((Brown was charged along with 20-year-old Lamont Carpenter. Carpenter was also arrested in Fort Wayne, found last week by the Fort Wayne Police Department’s Gang Unit.))
*** Next up, an update to the latest homicides. Here's that story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20171229/victims-in-2-deadly-shootings-named

((Delonte Corvon Walker-Ross, 18, of Fort Wayne, was shot to death inside a house in the 1500 block of Oxford Street. Police were called about 3:20 a.m. Saturday.
The second victim was identified as Deandre Anthony Voss, 32, who was homeless.
Voss was found shot in the 1400 block of Greene Street just before 4 a.m. Saturday. 
He also died at the scene, the coroner said.))
Yes ...definitely a POINT-OF-DESTINATION...in a fatal and final manner, Mr. mayor.
*** Next, an update to the home invasion/kidnapping/armed robbery I mentioned yesterday./
Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20171229/police-clear-woman-in-robbery-abduction

Okay, so the woman in the surveillance video was "cleared", but no mention as to whether she DID use a stolen credit card or not. That would clarify things a lot better. I suppose we just say the time line of the video coincided with the credit cards usage, as did the man police are still looking for. They must have been the only two leaving the store at whatever specified time was established.
*** Next up, actress and vaudeville star, Rose Marie has passed at the age of 94.

Here's the story:
http://wane.com/2017/12/28/actress-rose-marie-of-dick-van-dyke-show-fame-dies-at-94/

Her and Morey Amsterdam were wonderful comedy performers in the old Dick Van Dyke Show.
Her character, Sally Rogers was a brilliant team-up with Buddy Sorrell (Amsterdam).
She also was a terrific singer, and proved it on the show.

Not bad for being a "child star" all those years ago.
Another loss on a long list of celebrities who passed this year. Where does the time go?
Almost makes you wonder who will be on next year's list...
*** Next, time to stop by "Kitten Corner"...

After a brief bout of craziness early on, the kids settled back down and spent a leisurely day doing little else but playing and napping. You just can't stay angry at them for long. That's good for everyone.
It's been so bitter cold, the birds haven't even been by...at least not in numbers we saw before this bone-chilling deep-freeze gripped our area.
*** Next up, let's check in with "Midnight and Company"...

As usual, both of them were at the patio door. I would suppose with such "regularity" on their part, we have to be the only ones around who are putting out food for them (fast food trash tossed from passing vehicles does not count).
I have a system for the water dish - that ot out inside, and then take out a plastic mug to refill the dish.
It's good when you have few other options available. A heated dish would be a godsend!
He still doesn't seem to want to make use of either of the shelters while she has her choice every day. Sometimes, she's in the smaller one, and other days, the larger one.
Stubborn is as stubborn does, I guess...at least one fo them knows better.
*** Last back to the freezer...it's been one helluva year.

Like to see anyone argue that one.
- The state of politics damn near made me puke my guts up daily, so I begged off of watching a LOT of the news.
That's made my stomach thank me several times over.
- The mass shootings clearly demonstrated that the current gun laws need to be more stringently enforced...period.

- This (sudden) upswing in sexual harassment allegations by seemingly every other woman against every other man has become boring nonsense. The women should have spoken up right away, and the pervs should have called out immediately on this, taken to task, and removed from whatever position they held until they were cleared from any finer-pointing. This is nothing new...been going on since the dawn of mankind.

New Year's Eve warning - what goes up comes down!

- Our mayor (Ft Wayne's own King Henry) made it abundantly clear he has little concern for the state of the city OUTSIDE of the downtown vicinity. But it's not like we couldn't see that one coming, right?
Speaking of which, another year of OVER 40 homicides shows this city has become a battleground for criminal and gang activity. Again, this was very predictable, and such predictions have a nasty way of coming true (as they have been).
- The state of our local education system need to come into question. When they worry MORE about teaching to the TESTS, and not suspending the troublemakers (because of ethnicity concerns) that takes away from every OTHER student who it at least TRYING to learn. The leftist agenda is in full swing there.
- Whatever high point we managed to hit were unfortunately offset by the low points, so in my opinion, the year broke even (at best).
So, what would I like to see happen in 2018? That, my friends is a very loaded question.
Love to see the Russkies, Chi-coms and Norcos extricate their craniums from their asses and start being less aggressive (especially towards the USA) and instead work WITH the rest of the global community for a planetary betterment...screw the politics, and just make nice for a damn change.

- Can't wait to see what the next societal "fad" will be...from sexual harassment to WHAT next? We've bored everyone to death with the transgender thing, and we're sick and tired about all the damn refugees being flown, sailed or driven HERE for no other reason except that it's profitable for a handful of people (who are not refugees)...let the countries closer to THEIR home take care of them...we've enough issues RIGHT HERE on OUR soil.
- How about we test ALL the tech being tossed at us BEFORE it goes to market, so as to avoid the pitfalls we've been hip-deep in as this tech rolls out daily...whatta concept, right?
That's my short list.
- Last to add, I would suggest that we practice and embrace that wonderful something called HOPE.
Without THAT, we've nothing else going for us all, have we?
So, I sincerely HOPE you all have a Happy New Year (don't get shit-faced, falling down drunk, either...we'd like to keep you all around for a lot longer).

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

See all of you in 2018!

(Lets all work to make it a GOOD year)