This Guy!

Still feeling it, just change the names

Life in the White House, December 2018

Beggars Night, Redux

Beggars Night, Redux

(Email subject headings in order, from Ohio Democrats, on Election Day eve 2018)

This race is about Ohio, not Trump
We don’t fear the future, we shape it
Trump, Hannity, Pence, and DeWine
Mobilizing the state of Ohio to get to the polls
Trump is about to take the stage in Ohio
Tomorrow, we hold Trump accountable.
More empty name-calling from Mike DeWine and Donald Trump - Let's show them what we're made of
The strongest ticket in my lifetime

Final poll alert - last snapshot before Election Day
Join us on election night in Columbus
Last chance before Election Day

The other pitch is not greener

I am not a Columbus Crew supporter.

I am a Columbus Crew fan.

I am not, nor have never been a season ticket holder but I have been to a few matches here and there.

I do watch the matches on television, and had Time Warner Cable when it was the only local way to see them. This season though, unless ownership changes its mind, or changes so the team remains in Columbus, I will not be watching any of the Columbus Crew matches.

I have an old, 2009 edition jersey. I got a t-shirt with the latest logo on it for my son.

I am not invested in the team the way many supporters are. They are followers in a way that determines some of their social lives, good for them.

If the team were to leave Columbus, I would not be happy about it and I understand a lot of lives here would be effected by the move. Yet, my life would go on.

If the team were to leave Columbus, my small interest in Major League Soccer would end. Completely.

I am not a supporter of a sports franchise holding a city hostage to get what it wants.

I am not a supporter of a franchise whose owner is a liar and whose league commissioner is complicit in the moving of the team. This is not about Austin, although they should be warned it can happen to them.

This is about honesty, and the ownership of the Columbus Crew is not honest. Nor is upper management of Major League Soccer.

I’m not a supporter, but a casual fan on the couch, who has watched this team for about ten seasons.

Until now.

Keep the Crew in Columbus.

To distract myself from the violence

I first saw this band during Holler last March. A couple of things impressed my about this Columbus band: they write their own songs, play no covers, and they do not suck.

What I thought was missing was one key song. The arrogant A&R guy in my wondered where the hit was.

They're getting closer, a lot closer.



Good stuff here.

In other music news I bought an Ibanez AS73 on eBay a couple of weeks ago on a very good auction win. Took it in to my guitar teacher and he went nuts over the instrument. He was very impressed.

Had my lesson tonight and the luthiers in the shop told me he bought an Ibanez they brought in this week. Not the model I have, but an upgrade. I went to the practice room, saw it on the stand and asked him if I should get a referral fee from Ibanez.

Then we worked on Downtown. Yes, the Petula Clark song.

Had a blast tonight. Needed it.

From 10 years ago, not much has changed.

Have not really been talking politics. Probably because other things have been going on and I have not been able to, or wanted to, pay attention. What I want most is positive change, and I have no idea what or who is going to do that. Back in '92 I wanted a change from the 12 years of Reagan/Bush and voted for Clinton. The past 16 years have certainly brought about change. A change in our culture into such an apparent split and void in our thinking and beliefs. There is a great divide out there, greater than the one Studs Terkel uncovered in the 80's. The culture of fear has risen. The questioning of patriotism has risen. Dissent is seen as a terrorist act instead of an act of questioning decisions and the accountability of our leadership. It's gone crazy, and it's infected the core of our society.

The media has abused our language, deliberately, providing programming that does not report, but exposes and celebrates the divide between us. It is not fair, balanced, or intelligent, but appeals to the lowest common denominator - our base emotions and knee jerk reactions to hot button issues and other cliches that I'm spewing out.

Celebrity culture has become the easy story. It's cheap, easy to put a camera on, and does not ask important questions. Why pay someone to dig out a story on city hall when Britney's entourage is speeding by?

So I'm left out here, along with, I suspect, many others, who feel lost, powerless, tired of knowing they are being lied to, and unable to do anything about it because they do not have the savvy, be it political, social and most importantly, financial - to get anything done for themselves. We continue to go to work, and try hard to be satisfied by that, but it's not enough. It's not even close when our infrastructure has fallen apart.

My head remains in the sand, coming out from time to time to notice the stink, and feeling quite unable to provide anything to remove it. Is November going to bring about four more years of the same, a shift into an improvement, or a further decline?

All over but the unpacking

We're more or less in the new place now. More because it's here, less because we're still figuring out the logistics of placement. The muscle memory of coffee making has changed due to the shape of the kitchen and remembering where the scoop for the beans is, where did the scale go, where does the French Press go after it's used.

In time, we'll get that.

Just figured out how to get the answering machine back up (yes we still have one) and will work on the surround sound in the next day or two.

Artwork has to be hung up, but where? Some of the new arrivals have to be matted and framed.

The basement is awesome already, and we have plans to make it incredible.

It's so darn quiet on this street too. For me, that takes some getting used to.

Meanwhile, the GOP has passed one of the cruelest tax reform bills in decades and the long term consequences will be felt by all of us, unless we're uber-rich. And I suspect they will run out of places to hide soon enough.

So please, I do not want to read one complaint. You were all warned. Numerous times. I see the tweets and instagram posts you click like on. Do not go there.

Really, do not vandalize cemeteries

My third Great-Grandfather, Joseph Plunkett served in the army with the Massachusetts Volunteers during The Civil War. His arm was either injured or blown off during the Battle of Petersburg and he was taken prisoner. He was freed during a prisoner exchange a couple of months later. I’m not certain what POW camp he was detained in, but it would not have been an easy place to be captive.

My Great-Uncle Eddie was killed in action on March 26th, 1945 while the U.S. Army crossed the Rhine River. He was 20 years old and his death had a profound impact on my family, especially that of my Grandfather who was 20 years older and looked after him almost like a son. He is buried in the St. Avold Cemetery in France because my Grandfather wanted him buried there with his buddies. I have not been there but I have photographs of the site that were taken by relatives who went to pay their respects to their Brother or their Uncle.

As you know I have a deep respect for cemeteries and the way we honor and remember our dead. I’ve also gained respect for how we honor our war dead. So when I saw that the Camp Chase cemetery, about a mile from my house, was vandalized last night, it disappointed me.

Camp Chase was a military camp in Columbus, during The Civil War it became a prisoner of war facility. Over 2,000 confederate soldiers lost their lives in the dirty, unsafe and medically primitive facility. Call it the Andersonville of the north.

I honor the gravesites of the war dead of the average soldier. Men who were often threatened by evil governments with death of their own families to enlist for a terrible cause. Win or lose, war is shit. Luckily my family was on the winning side of the wars. Yet, I do not hate Germans for killing my Great-Uncle as I suspect a terrified average 20 year old was probably the one who pulled the trigger in retreat.

The Camp Chase site is rather humble, not very well kept and in a non-vibrant part of Columbus. There is a stone that has an engraving of why the site is there and on top of an arch was a statue of a generic confederate soldier, with the inscription “Americans” underneath. That statue was taken down, after being up there for over 100 years, by vandals last night. I support that the meaning of the camp and it’s origins should be updated for our times. I do not agree that cemetery vandalism and desecration is the way to accomplish this.

So, Guam

Tom Lehrer can provide the soundtrack to the end of the world.



Waving nuclear weapons like a phallus. Sad, sick men.

Too many hearings, not enough rock

Been quiet here but very busy on the real side of the blog.

Saw two concerts in four days. Both excellent. Sigur Ros and Tom Petty. Sigur Ros had one of the best light shows I've even seen while Tom Petty and Mike Campbell had many nice guitars. Of course I was Rickenbacker spotting, and quite easily successful. Still enjoying the wonderful instrument in The Back Room.

One I'm listening to now I may want to see also. This band is going to make an impact.

I thought all the Ambassador posts were vacant, except this one I guess

U.S. Department
United States Embassy Seal
Greeting from U.S Embassy,
THIS MAIL IS ONLY FOR THE OWNER OF THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS
Attention:Beneficiary ,
This is to inform you that your file was brought to my desk this morning,the CBN Bank here in Benin Republic / Nigeria said that they will divert your fund to the Government Treasury account just because you failed to pay the required fee of your fund which is $155 only.In the file they have forwarded to me one Mr Micheal Restov of this address (541 W Lies Rd Apt 6 Carol Stream IL 60188 USA) has forwarded to them his information for the claims of the fund saying he is your relative that you have been dead a long time ago and he stands as the next kind to make this cliam as the only survive member of your family,in this regards we want to know if this is true before we make any wrong decission in leting him stake a claim to this fund.
But we told him to wait until we confirm from you to know if his cliams are real so that we will know the reason why you rejected such amount of money 5Million usd which will change your life just because of the charges fee $155.00.we want your urgent response as you receive this email and explain to us the reason why you should abandon your fund. Kindly reply immediately with your full details as follows to enable us process your payment. Your Full names ,Your address and phone number.
I will wait to hear from you now.
Regards
Mr.James F.Entwistle.
United States Ambassador to West Africans States.

Seat the retreat

It’s been just over a month since I got the guitar. I’ve tried to play it about half an hour each day, plugged in or not, except when we were out of town. No, I did not bring it with me. It’s been relaxing, even if my skills are lacking. A definite comfort and I’m having fun. I’ve stopped biting my nails, lost a few pounds and lowered my blood pressure. How much of this is related is hard to say, but it is happening.

The Back Room has become a retreat to escape from the activism of the day. The constant hammering of issue after issue on social media that must be read and consumed now or else you are not paying attention. I’m not sure if I’m out of the loop, or refuse to get motion sickness by witnessing it every hour.

I am paying attention, people are so stuck on their selfies that they fail to see that. Reposting link after link after link is time consuming and I barely have the energy to get out of bed these days.

Picked up a multi-effects pedal that is fascinating to use, but probably a bit out of my depth right now. A friend said to, “play with my hands, not my feet,” and that’s a fair point. Do need a new strap though. The one I have is for an acoustic and I worry about slippage.

My wife said that she hopes I get out of the guitar what she’s been getting out of yoga. She also has a point, and so far she is correct. Although the guitar was more expensive than a yoga mat.

Another friend said I had to put me playing Talk About the Passion by REM on video in two months or he’d send me a wall hook for the guitar. I did respond, a month early. You can watch it here.

I’m very self conscious about my lack of ability, so I have no idea how long the link will be active. But yes, I’m happy as Hell with the investment as I work on proficiency on the instrument. I’m not hiding, but that’s where I’ll be for awhile.

The state of the sportball

Spent the week recovering from driving the length of Pennsylvania twice in five days. I've written about it before, and will probably never make that drive again. The rain over last weekend seems to have doubled its way back to Ohio the last couple of days. We had a gutter fixed in the back of the house, now there are still leaks in the basement but they're not as heavy as before. The joys of having a ninety year old house.

Currently listening to the Mets getting their asses handed to them by the Angels, who are ahead 9-0 in the third inning. Injuries and bad managerial decisions have decimated the pitching staff this season. Once again, frustrated and Bitter Mets Fan is not having a good spring.

Everton have finished their season in seventh place, which is probably the best they can do with the talent on the team at this time. Manager Koeman has his work cut out for him in talent acquisition over the summer. They are in Europa League competition next season, which means they get to go to places like SK Brann in Norway on a Thursday night in November.

Meanwhile up in Scotland, Celtic have been a buzzsaw in the Scottish Premier League this season as they finished at the top of the table with 34 wins, 4 draws and no losses. Going undefeated in any league is quite the accomplishment and Brendan Rodgers and his team are to be commended. Maybe next year they can get through the group stages of the Champions League and once again get pasted by a team like Juventus.

Getting worn out by those who think our president is becoming more presidential when he does not fling his own poo for twenty four hours. He's no statesman, but a con man.

Planning well in middle age

It was a year ago when my Brother called to tell me an account in my name had been set up by a brokerage firm. So my ignoring those emails from it was not the best idea. In about 24 hours the life and future of my family was altered. I've tried to do wise things, have made a few mistakes but have done some good moves also. Here I am learning about cost basis, mutual funds and strategies. As long as it all does not tank. Which in this day and age is not outside the realm of possibility.

This freedom allows us to do things like see Brian Wilson. To have a couple of cocktails in the new bar in the LeVeque Tower before the show. I got the practical car, and it has worked out very well almost a year in. It allows us to travel where we want when we have the time. And we're trying to help others too.

Later this week, another dream will arrive. Something I've wanted for about 40 years. I researched, went to local shops and finally pulled the trigger on eBay. I'm terrified, but it's cheaper and healthier than cocaine.

Reaccomodating social media

I’m not even sure if I’m aging out properly anymore. I’m not part of anyone’s demographic, unless something financial is needed from me. Unless there is a form of media I’m supposed to commit a ridiculous amount of time to, and remember, I do not have much time left. And for most of what I see, in preview clicks, it was better the first time around. And I saw that already, before you did.

Well before you did.

Is autism awareness day over? Is it still autism awareness month? How do I know what day it is without seeing the virtue signals?

When I got home today I noticed a dead squirrel on the front lawn. Having a new lawn service start tomorrow so I had to take care of it because I did not want to spring it on the new guy. I’m really, really squeamish about dead mammals and handling them but I got shovel and a beer box and managed to get the carcass in the box without puking. While carrying it to the garbage I nearly had a panic attack. Took awhile for breathing to return to normal.

As I write this, there is a large amount of hatred going the way of an airline who dragged a passenger off of a flight for not volunteering to give up his seat for one of their employees. Seems the airline overbooked and the employees had to work in the destination city the next day. I’’m trying to figure out what the CEO of the airline meant when he said, “reaccomodate the passengers.” Is dragging them out of the plane, not under their own power a form of reaccomodation? It’s perfectly peachy company policy to do this to a paying customer because the airline overbooked its flight, again?

Business, government, the dude troll on twitter, just do things now days because they can. With no recourse. No one to answer to but their own sorry selves, and we keep buying the tickets and reelecting them. I’m fed up with the lot of it all right now.

Akai Hana did not pop out at me

Been ill most of the week, a lingering malaise of various internal organs. Each day I last about a half hour further before a quick fade out that leads into not being able to fall asleep.

At least the taxes are done. After all the financial changes of the past year we had them done professionally and what a relief. Total piece of mind, even if we owed.

It's still autism awareness month, right? Am I still aware? I'll find out more tomorrow afternoon.

It seems Brew Dog have sold a chunk of themselves to a capital firm. Looks like that's how they're going to fund the hotel on the Canal Winchester property. Things are getting weird now that the punk founders are multi-millionaires.

All of this could be a moot point if this administration starts blowing up more than runways.

April is national poetry month too. The less said about my writing, the better.

Instead of continuing, it might be time to get into that strawberry parfait.

That's when I reach for my Macallan

Looking at where I was ten years ago, Jesus how did I get out of it in one piece? I've said that many times, and am projecting it all to the country now. When do the flames start? Will they signify an ending, or new beginning?

The transfer of power has been peaceful and stable, until this one. Every day another boondoggle of half truths, lies and obfuscation. All to keep control on the populace, that would be us.

So I dip into the 12 year old stock in the cabinet. Realize I'm more secure on paper than any time in my life. And wonder if I will ever sleep right again.

Like Father, Like Son, Think About It

My Son will not eat solid food, but he will bite his nails. I guess this is a genetic trait. He may like high school more than I did, but he is not saying.

News may be breaking about tax returns and who controls wikileaks, but the wrong people are doing the shouting and getting heard. Who gave roger stone and his bowler valuable air time?

What news has diminished to. Sadly, the entertainment draws numbers, which draws corporate ads, which fuels the pump.

Liar. Scream. Repeat.

After many months I did get my official Equity Punk Card from Brewdog, making me an official something. And I renewed my AAA membership so maybe there is hope in me that we have another year left. Possibly until the end of April, 2018, when my membership expires. After then, all bets off the table?

We're having a wild year for all the wrong reasons, although there is a trip to Vegas actually booked and paid up.

What are we going to be flying into?

I do like the meatball sandwich at Gallo's on Riverside Drive

It's been all internet spam here because it's overwhelming out there right now. If you are capable of reading this, you already know about the political climate of this country, and the world for that matter.

Bullet points just are not cutting it for me right now. Twitter threads that people say are important and must scrolls become redundant - in the way you have to sign into get in line at the Spectrum once Time Warner cable customer service office.

After 27 years I finally quit Time Warner in favor of another company. I originally wanted to go with another cable company, but after promising me a weekend installation time they backed out and we could not even agree on a late afternoon installation.

So here we are now.

Just got back from a Blue Jackets victory. They are one point from the franchise high in points with 92 points. There are sixteen games to play. What an incredible season this team is finally having.