Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity.

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

Too inconsequential to be sued

Just a few bad apples.

Saul Alinsky is my co-pilot

Is it irresponsible to speculate? It is irresponsible not to.

No one could have predicted…

We can agree to disagree, but I’m right.

We Survived Breitbartpocalypse!

How has Obama failed you today?

We have all the best words.

I personally stopped the public option…

Our job is not to persuade Republicans but to defeat them.

We still have time to mess this up!

Yes we did.

Wetsuit optional.

I showered with Rahm and all I got was this shitty blog.

And we’re all out of bubblegum.

Where tasty lettuce and good mustard aren’t elitist.

Technically true, but collectively nonsense.

Naturally gregarious and alpha

Women: They Get Shit Done

Screw the Judean People’s Front. Splitters.

What fresh hell is this?

On The Road – Auntie Anne – Chateau de Rochecotte

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We’re still in France this morning, but not in Paris.

The Loire Valley is famous for its beautiful and well-preserved chateaux, and for the formal gardens that are within the grounds of many. Auntie Anne takes us on a tour of one of these, where she actually got to stay for a couple of nights, and includes a sighting of the chateau chat (or chatte, perhaps).

Auntie Anne

When we were planning our trip to France, I kept coming back to an expensive tour because one of its highlights was spending two nights in an actual chateau – the Chateau de Rochecotte. I kept telling my friend, Polly, that I couldn’t miss staying in a “real chateau.”  It was almost half again as much as a cheaper tour, but I got to stay in a chateau. It was worth every penny!

Chateau de Rochecotte is a late 18th-century château, owned by among others, the Duchess of Dino, who was married to Talleyrand’s nephew. The grounds are beautiful.

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ChateauMay 18, 2017

I didn’t take this picture – I added it to give everyone an idea of what the chateau looks like.

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COVID-19 Coronavirus Update: Monday-Tuesday, August 10-11

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Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Tuesday that the country has become the first to approve a coronavirus vaccine, developed by the Gamaleya Institute in Moscow, with production and tens of thousands of inoculations to follow.

Officials have pledged to vaccinate millions of people, including teachers and front line health-care workers, with the experimental coronavirus vaccine beginning this month, raising global alarm that the country is jumping dangerously ahead of critical, large scale testing that is essential to determine if it is safe and effective.

Russian officials have said that a second vaccine from the state research center in Siberia, Vector, is not far behind.

The aggressive strategy from a country eager to declare a victory amid one of the worst outbreaks in the world has been criticized by outside scientists who worry that shots could be harmful or give people a false sense of security about their immunity. China has already authorized one vaccine for use in its military, ahead of definitive data that it is safe and effective…

Any bets which GOP puppets will be ‘volunteering’ to attest to the safety of this vaccine? Not the Squatter-in-Chief — his health isn’t up to risking a replacement this close to the election — but maybe Ron Johnson? Matt Gaetz? Mitch McConnell? Mike Pence?…

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Late Night Open Thread: Trump’s Malign Pandemic Neglect Kills College Football; GOP Complains Indignantly About the Corpse

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Excellent Book Recommendations

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If you have not picked up a copy yet, I highly recommend Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent. I’m only a little bit in, and it is fantastic. It’s such a comfortable read and her storytelling is amazing and so smooth. After just a few paragraphs I felt like I had eased into a pair of comfortable slippers.

On a personal note, sorry for not posting more. I’ve been in a mood, distracted, busy, worried about paying for house repairs, and a little depressed. I’ve been spending time ignoring the news, not responding to non-work emails, and biding my time with house and garden and canning stuff, slipping into a gaming k-hole, and reading and watching tv. All the seasons of Chuck are on Amazon Prime, btw.

I just don’t want to think about these fucking people, and I know in a couple weeks that is all I am going to be able to think about as I get to phone calling and door knocking. They’re just so fucking awful and I hate them so much. Sometimes I worry if it is unhealthy to hate them this much, then I realize only a fucking monster could NOT hate them this much. And so it goes.

Keep your chin up, people.

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On The Road After Dark – arrieve – A few days in Paris

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Welcome to Paris After Dark!

This is episode 100 of On The Road on my watch, and by total coincidence we’re starting a 3-week trip, to Paris no less!  You guys are keeping me busy – good job, everyone.

I know the monuments and churches in Paris are iconic, but the courtyard photo of the hotel pictured below completely captured my heart.  So charming, and so beautiful.  Exactly what I would have pictured for Paris.  I wish I could be in that spot right now.  ~WaterGirl

arrieve

These are the most recent pictures I have of Paris, from February 2018. I was on my way home from the Middle East and was breaking up the trip with a few days in Paris.

Any excuse to visit Paris….

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Paris

Looking out at the city through the clock in the Musée d’Orsay. You can see Sacré-Coeur in the distance.

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Open Thread: Vote By Mail – Don’t Wait

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Vote By Mail - Don't Wait

85 days until Nov 3. But it’s time to check your registration and if needed, request your Absentee Ballot.

Rock the Vote has state by state information on mail-in voting here.

Check your rules. Know what you can do if your ballot never arrives. Find out if you can drop off your ballot instead of mailing it in, most states are adding drop-off locations.

And once you know the rules in your state, let everyone know – friends, family, strangers on the street. //

Next, don’t wait. Vote as soon as you’re sure of your choices. This will help with the run-up to election day craziness.

Add any additional information in the comments on how we can do our best to thwart all the voter suppression that is being thrown at us daily.

Evening open thread

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Breathing Room – Homesteading Edition

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A few days after my employer had us haul our potentially infected asses out of our cube farm, I decided to do something I haven’t done since I lived in a house with my ex. Make a garden.

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It started off fairly normal, but maybe things got a little out of hand.

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I suppose it’s a weird thing to do, considering I’ve lived like my existence here is a temporary thing that might be uprooted at any second. But, in the face of worldwide instability, I believe the most normal & sane thing to do is to carve out somewhere where the feeling of stability and sanity can be present. I don’t think I’m alone as most of covid lockdown seems to involve nesting behaviours like gardening, cooking & crafting.

The projects continued past just a few potted plants or the big ass cloth planter (what was I thinking?)

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I repurposed some dumped chairs & a table, plus old pine wood. Surprisingly, I could sit in the chairs strung with boat rope. Things are, once again, changing the minute I decide to embrace stability. I did fear that. But, the respite of this spot has been helpful.

There are no cat pics outside. I’m right up against a busy roadway – super FUN for voiceover – and kitties don’t get to be outside in my household. But I got them a 6foot tall mega-cat tree and I’m their favourite entertainment anyway.

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Here’s Hime assisting for Zoom Yoga & Odoroki providing system support for video & voiceover work. I hope you’ve made an oasis where you are at and that it holds you, completes you and gives you a respite. Open Thread, play nice.

 

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