One less than favorable element to London: the police and ambulance sirens are ear-splittingly loud!

Well, mom made it three days out before heading back to the hospital. 😕 She spent the majority of July there. I’m hoping they finally figure out why she’s continually developing ulcers.

Honestly I would prefer it if none of the seats in an aircraft tilted back. Almost had my iPad destroyed when the person in front of me violently shoved their seat back and my iPad got caught between the seat back video screen and my table.

For my Bay Area reenactment friends, this looks like it could be fun: sanfranciscohistorium.com

Home - San Francisco Historium

sanfranciscohistorium.com

Goddamn, this week’s Strange New Worlds REALLY needs to have come with a content warning. I had to turn away from large sections of the episode. It was horrifically gruesome. And leaving the core plot essentially unresolved was the icing on this well-made yet horrible episode. DID NOT LIKE!!!

The firestorm of age-verification laws have done almost nothing to prevent minors from accessing porn online. What they have done is give the state a powerful tool to harass speech they don't like by declaring it pornographic or "harmful to minors."

If at all possible, people should avoid coming to the US until we manage either to regain a modicum of sanity in our governance, or we finally collapse under the weight of corruption.

PBS News@pbsnews.org · 5d ago

The State Department is making permanent a pilot program under which citizens from 50 countries, mainly in Africa, are required to post bonds to apply for a U.S. visa, and it's raising the cost as well, to as much as $20,000. https://to.pbs.org/4wEfLji

I remember in the early 90s all of my college friends were playing a game called Scorched Earth. I was recently jonesing to play a similar game, and found one that not only has a lot of the same gameplay but is also available on lots of platforms, from iOS to Linux to PS5: ShellShock Live. Fun!!

Mom’s back in the hospital. Probably the same thing as the previous two times this month, but with some kind of infection. We’re all hoping this time they’ll get her stable enough to get the underlying cause identified and addressed. This in and out of the hospital thing has been exhausting.

Having a splendid day! Arrived at my mom’s house to take her to an appointment. She was not doing well. She insisted on keeping the appointment, but once the doctor saw my mom, she wanted her to go to the ER. We got back to my car, and it won’t start. Got her to the ER, now I’m waiting on AAA. Whee.

I think the primary reason that centrist/corporate Democrats refuse to get on board with offering a compelling vision of a Democratically-led future is that they are too beholden to their corporate masters who benefit from the status quo. Any changes threaten their bottom line and must be squashed.

Me: Okay, I really need to focus on making writing progress on my cozy mystery. I’m just past the halfway point, the second body has literally hit the floor, and— My mind: Can I interest you in some stories about a romantically involved male odd couple flying around a steampunk universe? Yes?

Perfect timeline cleanse, for me at least…

Trevor@awholedamntown.bsky.social · 2w ago

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAgn... #Filmsky

What is it that you want? What is it that you give? Where do you plan on finding it? How do you want to live? Love is what I want And love is what I give Right here's where I'm finding it That's how I'm gonna live ~ Scissor Sisters, “Everybody Wants the Same Thing”

There is a point in the stage production of The Sound of Music” when Nazi banners unfurl from the top of the stage that, no matter how prepared I think I am, is a royal kick to the gut. I don’t know exactly what that says about me, but I always hope everyone in the audience feels something similar.

Here’s how my odd brain works: lately when I’m conversing with cashiers, especially at fast food places, I find I’m automatically saying “sí” and “gracias” without thinking. I usually get a quick amused smile when I then correct myself with English. If only the rest of the language came so easily!

Trump is preparing to escalate military activity in the Middle East. Where is Congress? Article 1 reserves the power to go to war for Congress, not the President. It's sickening how readily the Republican Congress is eager to give up its Constitutionally ordained powers. apple.news/AEgaXE9h5Ryq...

U.S. Surges Forces Toward Middle East, Giving Trump Options to Expand Iran War — The Wall Street Journal

The influx of troops, medics and weaponry follows the deaths of three American soldiers in Iranian attack at a base in Jordan

apple.news

So, Supergirl. Starts off with a not very likable protagonist, had a very muddy score with no recognizable “Supergirl” theme, a nearly pointless male anti-hero who’s only point seems to be to rescue the girl, another protagonist who is allowed no agency, and a cold-blooded murder by the hero.

Pretty wild that Taco Bell identified the source of the outbreak before the FDA did and promptly pulled it. Basically, Taco Bell is now a more reliable authority than the FDA

Gutsy move in the months before the midterms…

Politico@politico.com · 2w ago

Trump says he will impose tariffs on generic drugs starting in August 2028

We have tix to see Melissa Etheridge tonight. As we were just about to head to the car to drive to the venue, I get a call from my mom that she’s called an ambulance and wants me to get to the ER ASAP. Ever feel like you’re tempting fate by saying that you’re looking forward to something out loud?

I’m in need of a good chuckle, and this oldie (lol) always delivers… youtu.be/r37ZgFV1sVg

I hate this park...

YouTube video by Slapstick Skits

youtu.be

Todd Blanche is violating federal law by covering up the Epstein files. Rather than confirming him as attorney general, the Senate ought to demand his prosecution.

For no reason whatsoever, I checked my voter registration today, and if you are a US citizen I encourage you to do the same/update that voter registration if necessary/register to vote if you have not already done so: www.vote.org

Everything You Need to Vote - Vote.org

Register to vote. Check your registration status. Get your absentee ballot. Fast, free, easy, secure, nonpartisan.

vote.org

Blanche is at this moment ACTIVELY defying court orders. That should make is brutally simple to get to “No!”

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 3w ago

Tillis: "I have a positive disposition to Mr Blanche. I have not made a final decision. But he said yesterday he would meet with the Epstein victims today ... I expect that meeting to occur before I'm willing to vote. I'm trying to get to yes, but this is a very important part of getting to yes."

So, Todd Blanche, the appointee to US Attorney General currently seeking confirmation in the Senate, is flagrantly disobeying court orders. Why is he not already rejected? An Attorney General who disobeys the court is not worthy of remaining in his post, much less being confirmed by the Senate.

AOC on Trump’s Thursday address: I don’t think we should be contributing to the platforming of lies about our elections. Many of these outlets often receive transcripts, and I think we have an ethical obligation not to air things that undermine our elections and are not rooted in fact.