Friday Follies...

I can't believe it...our central air CAN shut off by itself...LOL.
That must mean it's not AS hot outside as it's been for the better part of the week.
Actually, this morning wasn't bad at all. That does not mean we're out of the woods with the heat, however.
Our Hoosierland weather for today will bring us partly sunny skies, temps rising (only) to around 79 degrees and what the hell happened to whatever rain we've been promised each evening this week? (must be on vacation...in Thailand)

Ahh...hazelnut - good call, Barton.

In any event, let't get that cup, glass or mug of Friday Fortitude poured and parked close-at-hand, as we see what else has been (and will be) going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the ice cube tray is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
JULY 6 -
---It's National Fried Chicken Day

(I could say a LOT about this where we live, but I will refrain from any snide comments)
And that's all we have for today.
*** Next, as you can tell, it is the weekend, and that means we have to see what we can observe over the following 48 hours.
JULY 7 -
---Saturday is National Dive Bar Day

(those I've always actively tried to avoid)
---It's National Father/Daughter Take a Walk Day

(guess the sons are busy "taking a hike"?)
---It's National Hop-A-Park Day

(sure beats a hop on pop)
---It's National Macaroni Day

(actually, that's ROTINI in the picture, but I suppose pasta is pasta)
---It's National Strawberry Sundae Day

(a sundae before a Sunday...how "quaint")
JULY 8 -
Sunday is National Chocolate with Almonds Day

(all you gotta say is chocolate...)
There you have it...enough to keep you out of trouble. Just remember to always observe responsibly.
*** Next up, a garage succumbs to fireworks. Here's the story:
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/fireworks-found-near-garage-destroyed-by-fire/1284796336

This took place in the 600 block of Greenlawn Ave. near Wells St. and W. State Blvd.

There was a pile of spent pyrotechnics close by...probably close enough to set the detached garage ablaze.That was pretty damn stupid of whoever the idiot was. Unintended arson, anyone?
*** Next, a house fire on the SE side (big surprise there). Here's that story:
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/empty-house-suffers-heavy-damage-from-fire/1284831282

This took place  at a house located at 4642 South Park Dr. shortly after 0200 hrs (3 July) -  the fire was focused in the living room and kitchen areas of the house.
Now, we either conclude we had someone not knowing HOW to cook, or some moron messing with fireworks in the living room.
Maybe a careless smoker (which are not permitted in gov't sponsored housing any longer).
*** Next up, a woman is struck by celebratory gunfire.

Here's the lowdown:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38578910/woman-hit-in-head-with-projectile-bullet

This took place late Wednesday night (4 July), around 2319 hrs. A bullet came through the roof of her husband's jeep (thank God is was a hard top), and struck her in the scalp, causing bleeding. Scalp wounds love to bleed because you have so many capillaries there, but so serious injury occurred. I'll bet the couple had the crap scared out of them, though.
I know I would. Quality-of-Life, people.
*** Next, Eden Green...I mean the Villages at Hanna Strikes again:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/07/05/fort-wayne-police-need-someone-to-come-forward-after-man-found-critically-beaten-at-villages-of-hanna/

Nothing like a good old-fashioned beat-down to make the holidays that much more interesting.
You can change the names of these places, but the people remain the SAME.
*** Next up, more celebratory gunfire from our local douchebag brigade. here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20180706/3-charged-after-reports-of-guns-being-fired

This took place around 2330 hrs at 821 Oaklawn Court (gov't housing, what else?) on the upper SE side.
They seemed to be well-armed to boot. ALL had handguns, with two of them being .45 caliber (the other one was a .40 caliber).

Williams        Washington         Morris

Now tell me these pieces of human crap don't "look the part" when it comes to aberrant behavior.
This trio could be Fort Wayne's poster boys for stupid.
Of course only ONE was held, while the other two were released (why I have no idea)
ALL three had priors regarding firearms (carrying w/o a license or possession by felon).
*** Next, this is something I've taken notice about, and it has it's pros and cons:
https://www.wane.com/news/national-world/should-police-use-computers-to-predict-crimes-and-criminals-/1285048400

So, now law-enforcement is looking into "Predictive Policing"?
Shades of  Minority Report...or Arnim Zola's algorithm from Captain America The Winter Soldier.
Using computers may be fine (as long as you keep is simplistic), but if you add in A.I. to the mix, the results could target people unjustly.
ACLU issues are already arising when it comes to certain groups of individuals.
It's fine to "go with your gut", or even "play a hunch" when it comes to predicting what people might wind up doing. Usually, they will signal their intent in advance (mental illness shooters, for example), but that is not ALWAYS the case.
Some still manage to fy below the radar, as it were.
This is an issue that needs to be handled VERY delicately.
*** Next up, time to stop by our "Kitten Corner"...
Once again, our kids fared well, in spite of the occasional firework going off later in the day (and evening).

I likes this comfy carpeting.

Actually, both of them found a new spot to "hang out" - the upstairs hallway and powder room (?).
Why they chose there, I have to earthly idea. It's probably one of the warmest places in the whole house (in summer).

I iz guarding the hallway.

We keep the bedroom doors shut to keep them cool, but the hallway warms up anyway. The powder room door stays open.
Looked like they were not bothered at all by the heat.
*** Next, let's check back in with "Midnight and Company"...

I watches the yard to no one steals it.

Our furry twosome stayed close by as usual, with Midnight doing patrol duty while Whiskers held down the bastions. Neither one missed a meal, although "someone" was late for dinner.
And these two were not bugged by the scattered  fireworks, which made feeding them easier by far.

They shall not pass...

Midnight has gotten into this habit of coming around and curling up on the top step at the back door...like he's guarding the house. It's pretty cute.

Hey, he stole MY line...

Whiskers has the patio door covered as well.
It's nice to feel so protected.  Now, if only I could teach them to operate a shotgun...heh.
*** Last back to the water fountain...this year's fireworks season, annoying as it was, goes to show that people are placed at risk, and not by fireworks alone.

Maybe celebratory gunfire was acceptable when it was done back in the 18th century, and probably doing it without using musket balls, but black powder ALONE. These days, it doesn't seem like anyone is using "blanks", does it? You are not permitted to shoot a firearm within city limits, in that you can be arrested and even charged with a felony, to which I have concerns over such a "blanket" policy.
If a home invasion is taking place and the perp winds up catching a few bullets I toss his way, I certainly DO NOT expect to be charged with ANY crime.

I'm putting the city on notice to that. I'm just protecting me,my wife, the cats,and our stuff.
Too many of our laws are too ambiguous. Many need to go away, while others need some fine tuning.
And still others JUST need to be enforced, plain and simple.
The only reason we even HAVE laws (in the first place)...is for the LAWLESS among us. That too is pretty simple to comprehend.

We live in an imperfect world, and it's FULL of imperfect people, but that should never stop any of us from trying to make things better.
It all begin with self - improve yourself, and you improve the world. Sure, it's on a small scale, but the journey of a thousand miles ALWAYS begins with that FIRST STEP, doesn't it
Do have yourselves a good weekend.

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