Stuff

Stumbled across this article about the idea of the objects we choose to keep or collect defining us.

Sort of inarticulate representations, or narrators of our individual history.
Mirrors, maybe...


Pretty sure I have way too much stuff.
I am not even sentimental about most of it, just to lazy to get rid of it.

Anyway, the article is a fun read...

Another link to it.

Maps

Yup

Still Going

Parking Lots

A pal invited me to an old skate movie hang out session at a local brewery last night.
Pretty good excuse to get out on a Monday, right?

It was a funny scene.
A bunch of guys my age and older, sorta standing around.
Some of 'em happened to be brewers/skaters, so that was how the plan got started, I guess.
One or two younger guys, actually skating.

Not a lot getting landed, but fun none the less...

Hangin' out.

Shackle Me Not was the first video up...
But it was hot in the brewery basement, so everybody was outside the loading dock.
The movie part stopped when the guy who put the deal together broke his phone, bailing in the parking lot.
They were being played from his phone.

It didn't really matter.

Just a bunch of old skater dudes...
All that is really needed is a parking lot and an excuse to be there, maybe a curb.

Skaters are simple, that way.

Strong Language

Linguistic amusements here.

Stewart

I miss this guy...



(Yes, I am aware this is two political posts in a row.)

Radical Republicans

Yeah, we all have too many options, when it comes to media covering the GOP at the moment.

Again, I am staying off politics (sort of) here.
I don't think many are capable of civil conversation on the topic and I would rather not pontificate.
That never goes anywhere...

I do like to stay abreast of world events though and there is big stuff happening.  I found this read pretty interesting, how the GOP transitioned from being the party of the "shining city on a hill" to what we see today...

Here is the lead in-

Trumpism may have parallels in populist, nativist movements abroad, but it is also the culmination of a proud political party’s steady descent into a deeply destructive and dysfunctional state.

While that descent has been underway for a long time, it has accelerated its pace in recent years. We noted four years ago the dysfunction of the Republican Party, arguing that its obstructionism, anti-intellectualism, and attacks on American institutions were making responsible governance impossible. The rise of Trump completes the script, confirming our thesis in explicit fashion...

We did not advance our argument about asymmetric polarization lightly. We had worked closely with members of both parties and are not unaware of the issues and divisions inside the Democratic Party. But we had seen the GOP go from a problem-solving center-right party to a problem-solving very conservative party — and then evolve into an obstructionist party intent on appeasing extreme forces inside and outside Congress.

Pretty thoughtful observations on the GOP path.
With concern for your political identity, worth a read...

Another link to it, here.

Grand Prix

Handsome.

Life Lessons

O Town

Hey, I know that taco spot...

Mullen

When was the last time you saw a new video bit from this guy?

That wasn't a TED Talk, I mean...

Not Safe

Not safe for work...


Sorry.





Maybe it is a dude nipple there, then it would be OK, right?

Herding Call

Here is some traditional Swedish herding because...

I don't know.

Weekend Plans

Thanks for the suggestion, DL.

Day Off

So, listen, I don't know where you head is on topics like gun control, or concealed carry laws, or any of that.

Neither do I know what you think of cops shooting people.

I keep my thoughts on those subjects rather to myself, because my thoughts are all over the place on those topics lately...


But, regardless of where any of us stand on these subjects, I propose that we just try out a National Don't Shoot Anybody day.

Just a day, to take a break from shooting people...

I mean, we have pie days, hot dog day, potato day...
How about we try a day where we, collectively, agree to not send bullets into other people?

If you are in favor of more gun control, it probably won't change your plans for that day.
Likewise, if you own guns, carry them, or whatever, probably no change in daily plans for you either.


Just one day, to see how it feels...

Still

Chicago

It's been on my mind lately...

Maybe just rolling ' over by the place by Pulaski?

Ack

Solo for the past weekend here.
Time to think singular thoughts, to do only the things I choose to do.
You know how that goes...

Decided to get out for a minute on the bike.
In spite of invitations to do other fun things...
Caught up in my own agenda.


The air was warm, but not too warm.
Trying to get into my rhythm, corner to corner.
Feeling the flow of an fairly empty back road.
Visor cracked, to take in the smells of backyard BBQ's and feel summer against my face.

I opened my mouth, to take a deep breath, to settle myself into an upcoming turn...
On a road I didn't know.

And felt it, the unmistakable sensation of some bug smacking over the tongue.
Something big.
Something moving, wedged into my throat.

Standing up the bike from the turn, searching for anyplace to stop.
Wretching against the thing, which is having it's own very bad day somewhere past my mouth.
Helmet ripped off before the heaving sets in, tossed aside.

And up came some watery bile and a writhing stink bug.


As I knelt there, spitting, eyeing that bug squirm and start to wander, I came to realize...

We're never alone.

Soundtrack

Here is a soundtrack for your weekend...



You're welcome.