Okay, deep cleansing breaths needed after the thread downstairs. Here are a few more nature pictures from Sunday’s hiking. First up, a gopher tortoise who wishes the paparazzi would fuck off:
Next, a softshell turtle with an interesting nose:
Here’s a close-up of that same damselfly (thanks, fauna pedants!) I showed ya’ll Sunday — and damned if he doesn’t look like he’s wearing a tiny insect-sized bike helmet, saying “WUT?” and making an exasperated gesture with his hands!
Last is another photo of the Sandhill family. I believe the one in the middle is a juvenile walking with parents — it looks a bit downier, and the crest on its head isn’t the bright red that adults birds of that type sport:
That’s kind of sweet if so since my hiking companions were my husband and our recently fledged nestling. Only in our human version of the family trio, the kid is the one with the brightly colored, spiky ‘do, and the adults are more drab.
Anyhoo, open thread!
schrodingers_cat
Nice photos BC, we need photos of your dogs and chickens too. How is the crew?
Corner Stone
I thought Jason Chaffetz was somewhere getting his foot worked on? You mean to tell me he’s just lounging somewhere in FL?!
schrodingers_cat
Open thread is just right for some blog pimping. A short post about Maharashtra Day that’s also celebrated on May 1.
Mike J
@Corner Stone: He went back to DC to vote. Looks like they won’t need him for at least a few days though (which probably means at least next week) as the speaker said they’re going to introduce new amendments to it to fix their bill that they claim is already perfect.
Corner Stone
@schrodingers_cat: When you say chicken tikka on the grill, you mean marinate then grill chicken and add to sauce later? Or a one cooking dish over open fire/grill?
Mike J
And how about a good citizenship merit badge for Lucie?
https://twitter.com/Gazda_Milutin/status/859146370724372481
schrodingers_cat
@Corner Stone: Marinade chicken and then skewer and grill it on a charcoal grill. Ideally I like to marinade overnight.
Major Major Major Major
Turtle expressions! Reminds me of a ‘turtle’ I saw at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi.
I just love that sandhill series, thanks for another.
trollhattan
@schrodingers_cat:
Here’s a puppeh, opening his sizable yap.
jacy
We have a softshell turtle, Raylin. They’re fascinating to watch. We’ve had him for nearly two years and he’s now the size of a saucer, so we’re in the first stage of building him a backyard pond. They’re not supposed to be friendly or people-oriented, but he really responds to my son and will follow his finger around the aquarium wall. But only him, no one else. When I try and feed him, he retreats to his cave and buries himself under the sand until I leave. I try not to take it personally.
schrodingers_cat
@trollhattan: Nice! Beach is nice too.
Corner Stone
Mick Mulvaney is rocketing up the Most Punchable Faces List of DC. Maybe 3 at this point? Definitely Top 5.
Betty Cracker
@schrodingers_cat: The hens are fighting among themselves as usual. One is being picked on so badly I may build a separate enclosure for her. Dogs are fine but getting old and lazy. Relatable!
Yarrow
@schrodingers_cat: You’re making me hungry!
I went to a local arboretum on Sunday and watched turtles in the pond. They were having a great time. There was one giant turtle that looked very different from all the others. Wasn’t sure if it was just really old or a different species altogether.
MomSense
Wonderful photos, Betty.
I’ve had a crazy busy day and couldn’t find time to post today. Wanted to say thank you to all the jackals who have been making calls to fight AHCA. There are quite a few of us in this community who need the ACA and really appreciate the support.
I’ll try to thank David Anderson, too. He gives us the knowledge to be effective advocates.
Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)
Somewhere a sack of baby dicks is going uneaten.
@Corner Stone: Who are your 5 most punchable faces in The Village? In roughly, barely decreasing order of assclownfraud:
Jack Shafer
Chris Cillizza
Glenn Thrush
Jeff Zucker
Mark Bennet
Roger Moore
@Mike J:
They have to keep amending it. As long as it’s a moving target, the CBO can’t score it.
Baud
Nice photos, Betty.
dmsilev
@Mike J:
Best to save this comment as a macro; I think it’ll get a lot of use.
rikyrah
@Roger Moore:
Excellent point
Major Major Major Major
@Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD): You’re omitting actual politicians et al. I assume, because you forgot Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Jim Comey, Mitch McConnell, and Paul Ryan Biting His Lip Piously.
Mike J
@Roger Moore: He hasn’t actually said what the amendment will do, but I can’t imagine it will amount to anything more than some words about “choice”and “freedom”. Anything substantively better would lose the hardcore, anything worse gives moderates cover for a no vote.
Yarrow
@MomSense: All of us need it. Even people with health insurance through work will be vulnerable if this pile of excrement passes, since they’re allowing states to get rid of essential benefits.
dmsilev
We have turtles (not sure of the exact type) in a pond on the campus where I work. Lots of them, several dozen at least, maybe a hundred. They’re pretty blasé about being petted by little kids and the like.
Baud
Remember when they bitched about how Congress wasn’t transparent when they passed Obamacare…
gene108
Do I have a First World problem for you!
I bought a new car on Saturday. A VW Golf GTI. It has sports tuned suspension. Handled great.
But damn does is it ever bone jarring going over potholes and bad pavement, which are in no short supply in NJ.
A serious First World problem to have.
Corner Stone
@Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD): I was just going with elected officials or admin/cabinet type people for now. I am also omitting females. For now.
In top 3 order:
Trump
Ryan
McConnell
And I’m currently thinking the final two to round out the top 5.
Cruz
Mulvaney
Flynn is no longer there and I think Jared would squirm way too much to get a clean shot at as he would be screaming, “Not the face! Not the face!!”.
After that you could pretty much throw a dart at a board of all FC Rep members listed and I’d be ok with that.
Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)
@Major Major Major Major: Indeed it strictly concerned “journalists” as otherwise narrowing it down to merely five would’ve been rather difficult.
Tazj
@Corner Stone: One thing we can all agree on.Maybe not his place but he is truly obnoxious.
HumboldtBlue
Ohio mom and pop, who already have five of their own beautiful children, just finalized the adoption of six siblings. They have a gofundmepage if you’re interested.
And no, I’m not fucking crying.
jacy
@gene108:
I loved my Golf! I had a five-speed diesel and it was so fun to drive, and got great gas mileage. The best car I ever owned, and I miss it dearly.
geg6
@Corner Stone:
Totally agree. I like to call him Dick Mulvaney.
pat
@gene108:
Ha! That’s exactly why I went for the Golf TSI.
Jeffro
@Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD): Marc Thiessen?!? Hello???
pat
@jacy:
I loved my Jetta Sportwagen TDI diesel, but VW was buying the diesels back and so I got the Golf instead, had a bit of money left over from the buy-back.
Omnes Omnibus
@gene108: Did you get the adaptive chassis control? If so, you can adjust it to suit road surfaces.
kindness
That pointy nosed guy looks a lot like snapping turtles to me but I have no clue really. Just don’t wiggle you finger in front of it’s nose.
jacy
@pat:
I understand that VW is right now trying to clear out their diesel Golfs — the 2015 and 2016 models that were unsold and had the diesel problem repaired — at really rock-bottom prices. If I had the spare cash I would jump on that.
Patricia Kayden
@HumboldtBlue: That’s a beautiful story. Everyone looks so happy.
StringOnAStick
While in FL in November we saw a turtle that looked like it was decorated with yellow magic runes in each shell section, just the coolest looking patterns. I think I looked it up on the web and it was basically a fancy box turtle. I was sorry I didn’t have my phone with me to take a photo; I think that is when I finally learned to always, always have it with me from then on.
Baud
@jacy: A lot of cars should be cheap right now. Kevin Drum:
raven
Me and a tortoise, San Diego zoo 1959.
raven
The idiot next door with a snapper.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
hmmm…. think I’ll wait four to twenty-six hours for the next thread with all the same comments
jacy
@kindness:
Softshell turtles are supposed to pretty aggressive. When you keep one, all the books reiterate they are “display pets” only, meaning you shouldn’t handle them unless you really need to. They will bite you if they you give them the opportunity. They’re awesomely cool to watch swim though, and they have these amazing giraffe necks and feathery flipper-feet — they look like prehistoric sea monsters in the water.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
this reminds me that all (most of) the plants Ford and GM were reopening or keeping open in the US had been geared for SUVs and trucks, and I was wondering how much of that was based on the assumption of continued low gas prices, which gas prices have I believed ticked up since I so wondered (and yes, I know they do this every springs, but I wonder how much long they will be able to do that because they want to, and can, and when the Sauds decide to do it because they want to, and can)
Yarrow
@Baud: I thought the Trump economy was great for everyone?
Major Major Major Major
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: I don’t even bother reading them any more, and I used to really get into participating.
MomSense
@HumboldtBlue:
So much dust and allergens making my eyes water.
Baud
@Major Major Major Major: I don’t understand why trolls feel the need to come here and try to “correct” us. I mean, the post wasn’t even about Wilmer, but they still came.
lamh36
https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/859457313232605184
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@Major Major Major Major: we should archive them, though, because the arguments might become bigly cromulent the next time HRC runs in a Democratic presidential primary
Yarrow
Brave Sir Spicey!
Baud
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: Against Chelsea?!
dmsilev
@Yarrow: And the accuracy and informativeness of the briefings just increased immeasurably….
lamh36
Dark Tower trailer coming tmrw!!!
https://twitter.com/idriselba/status/859447167936856066
KG
Wait is it “ya’ll” or “y’all”?
MomSense
@Yarrow:
I know. And even those who don’t know they need the ACA need it or may one day. It’s just really good to know that people have your back.
On another topic, I’m starting to volunteer with an organization that works with immigrants and refugees. They have an intensive training program which is so smart. I’ve been thinking about all the people who have been thrown into a state of vulnerability and fear. It can be overwhelming which is why we have to look out for each other and express our gratitude.
Hate got us into this mess. Love and kindness will get us through it.
trollhattan
@gene108:
Congrats, sweet car! GTI mit Autobahn package was among my finalists last summer while car-shopping. Yugely entertaining (discovered I even remembered how to drive a stick). IIRC the one I drove had the adaptive suspension which, considering shattered roadways was the only way to make nice with the 18-inch wheels.
Yarrow
@MomSense: I’m calling away, for you and others here and myself and those I know. We’re all in this together!
That sounds like a great program and so helpful to those in need. Like when you rescue a pet, sometimes helping others helps you just as much. I hope it’s a wonderful experience.
mdblanche
Mais ses e-mails…
lamh36
https://twitter.com/onlxn/status/859540048303104000
TenguPhule
What vigilant citizens did to Trump’s VOICE, environmentalists follow up with the EPA’s rule gutting
Pruitt needs to choke to death on a bag of salted dicks.
/pardon my being uncivil
Baud
@lamh36: That may be the worst thing a millennial has ever done.
gene108
@Omnes Omnibus:
No. Could not afford more than the base model. Has Nornal, Sport and Custom settings. Custom lets you have some things in Sport mode or Normal mode, depending on your preferences. I haven’t played with that yet.
@trollhattan:
If I was floating near the money to swing a GTI Autobohn, I think I’d also consider a Golf R.
I don’t think there’s too much price difference.
Roger Moore
@Mike J:
I don’t think they necessarily have to make it better or worse; they just have to keep changing stuff that actually affects, or maybe just potentially might affect- its budgetary impact.
efgoldman
I have gophers in my yard. May I borrow your tortoise to eat them?
Major Major Major Major
@Baud: Kim Jong-Un is a millennial.
Omnes Omnibus
@mdblanche: It’s a world-wide phenomenon. Fuck.
Baud
@Major Major Major Major: This is worse.
lamh36
Oooh…just saw a clip of Orlando Jones’ turn on American Gods as Mr Nancy…can’t wait til folks hear his words…
SPOILER ALERT!!!
‘American Gods’ Preview: Orlando Jones Delivers Powerful Speech on Racism http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/american-gods-preview-orlando-jones-delivers-powerful-speech-racism-999625 via @thr
Major Major Major Major
@Omnes Omnibus:
I mean, useless purity-focused lefties came from across the pond in the first place. Nach Le Pen, Uns!
efgoldman
@Baud:
Why did the scorpion sting the frog?
They wouldn’t be trolls.
mdblanche
@Baud: Perhaps this will turn out to be one of those generous acts that makes two people unhappy instead of four.
TenguPhule
@Baud: And then actually went completely dark on the AMCA, Tryancare.
Again, everything with Republicans is projection. If not now, then later.
TenguPhule
@Baud: Is it a step too far to wish for a murder suicide?
/honest question
Yarrow
Didn’t Sally Yates testify today in a closed door session with one of the committees?
MomSense
@Omnes Omnibus:
Mon Dieu. Do they not see the fucking hell we are now enduring here?
japa21
@TenguPhule: I just placed a comment on the site where they are requesting comments and where the comments are running against getting rid of regulations. Not that it matters. My comment finished with ” Simply put, if you place the bottom line of some company (because no matter what you say it is not about jobs) ahead of the health and future of my grandchildren, you are no longer legitimate in my eyes.”
TenguPhule
@Yarrow: Not getting hopes up unless cuffs are actually slapped on or a stretcher brought out.
mainmata
Looks like it is a spiny soft-shell turtle, native to North America. Great photos.
TenguPhule
@efgoldman: Is that an ice cream koan or a sherbert koan?
Yarrow
@Omnes Omnibus: You may have missed this when I posted it last night.
Plenty more at the link. Also this gem:
No one is racist!
Roger Moore
@TenguPhule:
No; it’s several steps too far. It would be too far even to cheer a murder/suicide.
TenguPhule
@japa21: Good job!
TenguPhule
@Roger Moore: Ah.
/quietly puts away champagne and noisemaker.
Omnes Omnibus
@Yarrow: Now I want a kebab.
Steve in the ATL
@gene108:
I feel your pain–I had to get my putter regripped. Like I have time to go by the pro shop!
Tilda Swintons Bald Cap
@gene108: I have a GTI too. Love it, but the low profile tires aren’t helping either.
Yarrow
@TenguPhule: I’ve given up on hope, as I’ve mentioned many times before. I am still confident the criminals and traitors in the White House and Republican leadership, also including Trump’s family, will be removed from office. Many will go to prison.
Yarrow
@Omnes Omnibus: Me too. Or the chicken tikka mentioned above.
trollhattan
@gene108:
Golf Rs were phantoms in N.Cal at the time so the Autobahn was as close as one could get. A few ’16s were still around and they were dealing, especially the manuals.
TenguPhule
@Yarrow:
I thought that about Bush and Cheney once. A long time ago.
I’ve come to the sad conclusion that our Justice system really isn’t. Too big to jail really has entrenched itself.
Roger Moore
@Yarrow:
I guess this is the French version of predicting taco trucks on every corner.
Yarrow
@Roger Moore: Yep. Honestly, I’d be happy if we had a crepe stand on every corner. YUM!
Steve in the ATL
@KG:
y’all as it is a contraction of you all
Steve in the ATL
@Yarrow: une crepe jambon oeuf fromage chaque matin…ooh la la!
TenguPhule
@Roger Moore: In Tokyo at least, its almost true, They had Kebob chain stores in every district of the city, some of them literally within blocks of each other.
ETA: Kebabs, not Tacos. Because the Japanese version of Mexican food is horrifying.
Omnes Omnibus
@Steve in the ATL: Crepe trucks in the morning and taco trucks at lunch time?
Steve in the ATL
@Omnes Omnibus: Deal, and I’ll throw in kebab stands at dinner time
Jim, Foolish Literalist
Omnes Omnibus
@Steve in the ATL: Done and done.
jacy
@lamh36:
I loved the book — excited about the series. And Orlando Jones is way underrated.
TenguPhule
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: But her emails!
Yarrow
@Omnes Omnibus: No fair! You’re making me really hungry.
Edit: @Steve in the ATL: You too!
Steve in the ATL
@Yarrow: the correct response was “que j’ai faim”–nous sommes desolee!
Betty Cracker
@raven: Awww! ?
@KG: The latter. Goddamned Yankee autocorrect!
@MomSense: That last paragraph is so true it should be committed to needlepoint!
efgoldman
@Steve in the ATL:
They played for the old Quebec Nordiques, yes
MomSense
@Yarrow:
But kebabs are delicious!
Omnes Omnibus
@MomSense: To be fair, so are crepes.
MomSense
@Betty Cracker:
Plus all the stabbing of the fabric with the needle is soooo cathartic.
?
MomSense
@Omnes Omnibus:
They really are. Crepes are so tasty.
TenguPhule
@MomSense: Butter makes everything taste better.
Roger Moore
@TenguPhule:
Especially really good French butter. It’s hard to find American butter that comes anywhere close.
Steve in the ATL
@Roger Moore: Kerrygold is the best I can find around these parts
J R in WV
@gene108:
You can get a set of wheels that are smaller, and tires that are higher profile, which will soften things quite a bit, compared to the big wheels and skinny tires setup that came on the car. More wheel and less tire yields less unsprung weight, which helps handling a little.
But as you say, not so comfortable on your buns as taller tires and less wheel. Light weight wheels don’t weigh as much as tire walls do. I’m hesitant to talk about exactly why more unsprung weight is worse for handling, but I think it is.
Omnes Omnibus
@J R in WV: Unsprung weight (tires, wheels, brakes) has its own inertia separate from that of the spung weight. This means that, if a tire hits a bump, it has a tendency to continue upward for a bit. It can even lose contact with the road. Decreasing unsprung weight decreases that inertia. It keeps the wheels stuck tighter to the road. Physics people can go into more detail.