Friday Follies...

Alright then...end of the week - start of the month. We're all good with this.
Yes, this year is in the home stretch, and it won't be long before we greet the NEW year and all the continuance of the BS we've enjoyed THIS year (I can hardly wait).
In the meanwhile, our Hoosierland weather will not exactly seem like December, with mostly sunny skies, temps reaching back up to around 50 degrees, and no rain to speak of (or snow for that matter).

Or, something with a bit more "octane"can work...

So, let's take a minute and get ourselves a nice warm cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa as we take a look at what's been going on elsewhere...
*** First off of the runway is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
DECEMBER 1 -
---It's Bifocals at the Monitor Liberation Day

(yeah, it's called making the font sizes LARGER)
---It's the Day Without Art

(I'd settle for a day without stupidity)
---It's Faux Fur Friday

(unless you're in Indiana)
---It's National Eat a Red Apple Day

(I'll stick to juice and cider, thank you)
It's National Pie Day

(it IS a wonderful day for pie)
---It's Rosa Parks Day

(and riding a bus was never the same since)
*** Next, and since we're at week's end (already?), let's see what we can observe over the following 48 hours...
DECEMBER 2 -
---Saturday is National Fritters Day

(guess we could lump hush puppies in with this one?)
---It's National Mutt Day

(such a cool day they needed TWO of them)
---It's National Rhubarb Vodka Day

(are you effin kidding me? Rhubarb? YUCK!)
---It's National Special Education Day

(and we know who is in need of that, don't we?)
---It's Skywarn Recognition Day

(a little late for tornadoes, isn't it?)
DECEMBER 3 -
---Sunday is National Roof Over Your Head Day

(looks like under that bird's butt to me)
*** Next, time to see what this month offers, among other things...
---It's Awareness Month of Awareness Months Month

(don't tell me...a LIBERAL thought THIS one up, right?)
---It's National Tie Month

(well, bowties are cool)
It's also Root Vegetables and Exotic Fruits Month, Safe Toys and Gifts Month, Spiritual Literacy Month, National Drunk & Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month, and National Human Rights Month.
Remember to observe responsibly.
*** Next up, NIPSCO might have shot themselves in the foot. Here's the story link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/indiana/20171130/nipsco-hit-with-states-highest-fine

How about that? A fine for failing to keep accurate maps and records of its underground natural gas pipelines.
And, it's HEFTY fine to boot - $900,000.00 to be exact. The violations occurred between mid-2015 and early 2016, according to the company.
Guess that public meeting that's supposed to take place regarding that 20% rate hike might be more "fun" than first thought. The Indiana Utility Commission should take this fine into consideration.

Not so much, it would seem.

((Along with failing to keep accurate maps and records, NIPSCO failed to locate its pipelines in two days as required by its own pipeline safety procedures, according to the IURC's release. Besides the fine, NIPSCO must report “performance metrics applicable to locating its facilities,” implement a pipeline safety management system and encourage closer coordination with the Pipeline Safety Division.))
Well, you may be able to fis thes problems, but you can't seem to fix STUPID...can you?
*** Next, we sure don't need stories like this around the holidays. Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20171201/boy-2-taken-to-firehouse-dies-man-arrested
The story is pretty much self-explanatory.
---And another added to our FWCS superintendent? Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/schools/20171201/fwcs-robinson-may-get-an-extension

Be interesting who they find to fill her shoes when she decides to step down ?
---This story is a head-shaker (imho), and perhaps you can see why:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/courts/20171201/charges-dropped-in-death-of-mother
Still a person of interest? Well, THAT'S good to know (if he decides to bug out of the state)
*** Next up, time to stop on by "Kitten Corner"...

Where'd the red and green dots go?

The kids were more in tune with the whole good behavior thing, which was well received by we mere humans.
Had to pull out the laser pointers a couple times, but that's fine. I like the way they always find it intriguing enough to chase after a point of light.

I iz all lasered out!

We ALL get a little exercise, I guess.
Always nice to have one (or both) of them come over for some rubbing or a head scratch, too.
*** Next, let's do our check in with "Midnight and Company"...

Um, my plate is EMPTY again...

Our outdoor pair of cuddlies were close by most all the day...as usual. I don't know what time they choose to park by the patio door, but I know it's BEFORE the sun decides to rise...well before, in fact.

Patience is a virtue, so I can wait.

While the days are still mild, the nights get cold enough for them to get out of the weather, which I know one of them does. I hope they both make use of the shelters...winter might convince them of doing so soon enough.
*** Last back to the hangar...we lost another celebrity.

Jim Nabors has passed away at the age of 87. Here's the story:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2017/11/30/jim-nabors-gomer-pyle-star-dead-87/909603001/
And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Nabors
Now, it seems that every story cites the "Gomer Pyle" gig, which is notable, and was a funny show in it's day.

But my recollection of Nabors goes back to the Andy Griffith days (Griffith sign Nabors after hearing him at a California tavern called The Horn).
A "one-shot" appearance led to becoming a regular, and later a spinoff show (Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. with Frank Sutton).

This show lasted 5 years before Nabors called it quits and pursued singing with live appearance and recordings. Most of the songs were romantic ballads, though he sang pop, gospel, and country songs as well.

He also appeared in every season premiere of The Carol Burnett Show, because Burnett considered him a "good-luck charm".

And I remember him in one other way - For more than 30 years, Nabors sang "Back Home Again in Indiana" with the Purdue All-American Marching Band before each Indianapolis 500. In March 2014, Nabors announced that the 2014 Indianapolis 500 would be his final appearance, saying that his health was limiting his ability to travel.
It never mattered to me how Nabors handled his personal life (it was personal, after all), so the whole same sex marriage and longtime companion thing didn't surprise me, or turn me off from the talent that Nabors displayed.

And the way he battled back from a near fatal case of Hep B (contracted in India) and a subsequent liver transplant was remarkable.
To me, he was much more than just a comedic marine, and we don't get to have his kind with us that often, and for that long.

I will always remember that marvelous baritone voice. A good legacy for sure.
Do have yourselves a nice weekend.

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

Thoughts For Thursday...

Here we are...end of the month, and ALMOST the end of the week...came close on that one.
Tomorrow will lead us into the last month of this year, and what a year it's been, right?
Our Hoosierland weather will bring us cloudy skies to start with (and perhaps a shower), but clearing as the day progresses, with temps reaching to about 54 degrees, and what looks like a good rest of the day (thank you).

So, let's all brace ourselves for whatever may come and get a nice hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa, as we see what has been going on elsewhere, hmm?
*** First out of the cat shelter is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:

"It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong." 
This was spoken by someone whose column I never try to miss, one Thomas Sowell (born June 30, 1930) is an American economist, turned social theorist, political philosopher, and author.
And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Sowell
((He dropped out of high school and served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. He received a bachelor's degree, graduating magna cum laude[6] from Harvard University in 1958 and a master's degree from Columbia University in 1959. In 1968, he earned his Doctorate in Economics from the University of Chicago.))

And he didn't do bad for a high school dropout, considering this was in the pre-civil rights days in America.
This clearly shows that if you work hard and push YOURSELF, you CAN achieve a lot more than sucking the teat of the government.
((Sowell has said that he was a Marxist "during the decade of my 20s"; one of his earliest professional publications was a sympathetic examination of Marxist thought vs. Marxist–Leninist practice.

While often described as a black conservative, he prefers not to be labeled, having stated, "I prefer not to have labels, but I suspect that 'libertarian' would suit me better than many others, although I disagree with the libertarian movement on a number of things".))
Still...sure beats being a Marxist...any day.
It's a pretty good read and my only regret is that he is 86 years old. We could use more of such insight on racial views for the next several decades. Plus, it never hurts to have another burr under the saddle of the leftists in America.
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
NOVEMBER 30 -
---It's Computer Security Day

(the best security is never to turn it the hell ON...lol)
----It's National Mason Jar Day

(and they make great drinking glasses)
---It's National Meth Awareness Day

(I think every city in America is "aware" of it these days)
---It's National Mississippi Day

(well, it's not Indiana, is it?)
---It's National Mousse Day

(okay, back to desserts...my kinda day)
---It's Stay Home Because You're Well Day

(or because you're retired...either one works for me)
*** Next up, more on that standoff the other day. Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20171130/suspect-in-childs-beating-hides
Now, while this doesn't cover what had been posted on FB earlier in the week, it does create a good timeline for the events leading up to the standoff and subsequent arrest of this perp.
Trumarkus Cortez Alexander, 27 (of the 3100 block of Broadway) claims the toddler (she could talk a little) had fallen off the "bed" and that's why she was so bruised (had one eye swollen shut) among other injuries.
The bed in question was an air mattress on the damn floor. How GHETTO is that, folks?
(answer: pretty effin ghetto)
So this asshole wasn't even LIVING at the 2800 Knode Ct address...he was "cribbing", as many of his kind tend to do (boyfriend of the month syndrome?).
Here is his RAP SHEET:
=====================
02D04-0909-MC-001894
Alexander, Trumarkus C
09/11/2009Allen Superior Court 6
MC - Miscellaneous Criminal - Decided
P.C BURGLARY
02D04-0909-FB-000174
Alexander, Trumarkus C
09/16/2009 Allen Superior Court 5
FB - Class B Felony - Decided
BURGLARY
02D05-1711-MC-003169
Alexander, Trumarkus Cortez
11/29/2017 Allen Superior Court 5
MC - Miscellaneous Criminal (Citation) - Pending
35-46-1-4(a)(3)/F3: Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Serious Injury but resulting in serious bodi
35-42-2-2(a)/F5: Criminal Recklessness def. shoots a firearm into a building.
35-44.1-3-1(a)(3)/MA: Resisting Law Enforcement def. knowingly or intentionally flees from law enfo
=====ADDRESSES=====
2312 Drexel Avenue
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
3101 Broadway 
Fort Wayne, IN 46807
=====================

And Alexander DID fire a .45 caliber Ruger pistol once (from inside), striking the neighboring house (shook the hell out of the two men who were there at the time).
((He was charged with neglect of a dependent resulting in serious bodily injury and criminal recklessness for shooting a firearm into another building. He was also charged with a misdemeanor for resisting law enforcement.
He was being held at the Allen County Jail in lieu of $60,000 bail, according to a jail spokesman.))
Good...now, lose the damn key and faggediboudim. Do us ALL a favor.
*** Next, a decent OP-ED from today's J-G. Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/opinion/editorials/20171130/a-done-deal

So, I'm far from the ONLY one who thinks this "swindle" (as Glynn Hines put it) is a GAMBLE...(roll them dice...city needs a new source of revenue)

I like the way the op-ed begins...with ALL the dissension regarding this "deal"...and yet FIVE city council members chose to go all in and "bet the farm", as it were.
There will be a collective sigh of relief should this turn out IN their favor, but it does establish a costly precedent that should never see the light of day (imho).
Take chances with your OWN money...not ours.
*** Next up, a little preview of what we (as comic book fans, right Chris?) can expect next year.

Now THIS is going to be...well, awesome.
And it's only PART ONE of Avengers: Infinity War
Part TWO is scheduled for 2019...something to live for, hmm?
Excelsior!
*** Next up, time to stop by "Kitten Corner"...

Dreaming of NOT being bad, no doubt.

Well, I want to say the kids were well behaved, but Gallifrey chose to wake me up around 0445 hrs yesterday morning. Seems he got onto the stove (again) and dumped a small bag of treats on the kitchen floor (I'm a light sleeper...gotta be around this part of the city).
I was playing pickup for a half hour, and I was not a happy camper (or sleeper).
The rest of the day went well, though...sucking up to "Daddy" to make up for the kitty brain fart.

She IS...sinfully adorable.

Being as cute as they are makes it So damn easy to forgive them.
Violet is especially good along those lines.
*** Next, let's take time to check in with "Midnight and Company"...

She sees the world a bit differently

Both of our furry outdoor "kids" were fine, but Midnight was on patrol and missed some midday snacks. Whiskers got her share, needless to say.
They were both around for their "wet food Wednesday", with a nice shredded chicken meal.

Chicken...AND pizza crust? Impressive.

That stuff actually smells good, and doesn't look that bad. Still, not ready to make a sandwich.
And I found out that Midnight is a bit of a "paisan",,,he like pizza crust scraps...who knew?
Later that night, we had another "visitor" - a POSSUM that came by to eat the pizza crust that Midnight didn't. I went out to chase that critter away.

Courtesy of Wifey's smartphone.

I draw the line with having CATS...no raccoon or possum please.
Squirrels and birds welcome (as long as THEY avoid the cats).
*** Last back to the patio table... things have changed so much since those halcyon days of youth.

And it's not JUST in the world and how it manages to revolve with all the crap going on these days.
It's the little things - things I had to think upon that we did as kids.
Using that upcoming superhero movie preview as an example...there was a time (mid-late 60s) when we could NOT wait until the comics arrived at the local drugstore (usually Wednesday) so we could all find out WHAT happened to those characters from the previous month. Marvel was big on continued story lines (2-3 issues long). D.C. didn't do that until years later.

And to spend that 12 cents on an issue and run your ass home to sit on the front steps to read it was THE big deal for us. Every week, blow the allowance to get those next issues...lol.

Now, we see on the big screen that which we could only dream of...the realization of what out mind's eye used to show us in our imagination. For people like me, that is ALSO a pretty big deal.
Granted, the movie "experience" is not what THAT used to be either, and that's a damn shame.
Gone are those marvelous (really) big screens, and we're relegated to whatever passes for a movie theater today.
I suppose the worst change is in the people attending these movies, and that's what I've sad many time I prefer to pass on going to a movie. People all but ruin what should be an exciting two hours of pure escapism.
I'd much rather plan my "escape" in our living room with a DVD player.

I am thinking seriously of going to see the movie (above) though...it's that huge an event.
(maybe a matinee during the week, when it's less crowded (and distracting...and that's a big maybe)
Yes, so much HAS changed, and a few of them are actually worth it. The rest seem tedious by comparison. Maybe we need to change THAT?

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