The high horses on keyboards

I'm old enough to remember when a lot of people lost them minds when a dude solicited donations through gofundme for a potato salad recipe.

Now it's shifted to people policing where people give their charity to. Most recently the renovation of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris after it sustained heavy damage in a fire this week.

"But the Catholic Church is bad."

"The church no longer owns the cathedral"

"But the Catholic Church is bad"

"It's a living, breathing work of art and museum."

"But the Catholic Church is bad."

"It's a touchstone of Paris, a cultural and cartographic icon of France."

"But the Catholic Church is bad."

While we're still able, people have the right to donate their money where they wish, whether it be to victims of rape, church renovation or saving a barrier reef. It's the judgement, the sanctimony, that is grosser than the transgressions which lead to the solicitation of funds.

Your algorithms and metrics are driving me away

There is a real cocksuredness about social media that bothers me. Discussion has all but disappeared, replaced by people who simply post and say 'prove me wrong' or 'fight me' or 'don't @ me'

It bores me to tears. So I mute, unfollow, snooze or simply remove said person out of my life. The frustration grows when facebook only shows me about a half dozen posts at a time. That's not engagement, it's shackling and I do not know how much more I can take.

Despite the pleas of users, the activity becomes worse, the tedium increases and the fun is in the rear view mirror. There's no replacement in sight, other than completely disappearing.

I've already self-cancelled myself out of the local poetry scene here, the only major thing keeping me on Zuckerberg's folly are the deathpools.

Think I need to retire, get a dog, and hope he or she is not bothered by my guitar playing.

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

My email turns her on

Hi chaptal, I saw your email in a dating website, And You turn me on like no other man ever has.

My name is Erica, I have 24 years. Can I have your number?



I suspect she has a lot more than 24.

What could possibly go wrong?

ON BEHALF AND AUTHORIZED RIGHT OF PRESIDENT DONALD JOHN TRUMP.

I'M MRS.MELANIA TRUMP AND THE CONTENT OF BELLOW MESSAGE IS SIGNED AND APPROVED BY UNITED BANK OF AMERICA.

moreover,in respect of fact the sum of $50 million united dollars was instructed to transfer on your favor through Check ,And i wish to let you know that every

necessary things has been accessed by IMF on the economic recovery program done by united state embassy in government house of Benin for victim who lost fund to con

African artist ,And you have nothing to be worried about.

Below is the required information i need from you so that the delivery of your check will commence immediately today

Home address:...........................................
Cell phone number:......................................
City:..............................................
valid Email Address................................
Email password ........................
We advice you to prohibit any other transaction you are having with an unknown source to avoid regret there after.And we urge you to comply fast with the managerial

demands so that you can have your legit check book with immediate effect as instructed from White house(Washington DC)
Email (mrsmelaniatrump04@gmail.com)
Thanks and always be bless

My wife said I should write her back, I think she's a keeper

From: Tanechka Delightful

Ciao, my friend from the Internet! I haven't written you for a long time.

I was frightened to write you. I believed that you wouldn't reply. I have never meet people in the Internet.

It is my first test. I think that you will reply. I think you didn't forget me. We saw each other on the dating-site. It is Tanya. I am 29 y.o..

I am very funny and blithe. I am fond of planting flowers, pets, music. My favoured films are comedies and love stories.

I look up staid relationship. I need a man who will love, respect, cherish and protect me.

I look up a real man with whom I feel convinced that he will never betray me. I am exhausted of playing in feelings.

I look up only sincere love but not flirt and simple touch.

If you fancy me and want to go on our touch, you are to write me and tell me more about yourself.

We might go on our touch in Columbus. Anyway it will be exciting to know you better and closer.

I will wait for your response. Tatyana



I mean, she's funny AND blithe. What more could a man want?

Spy stuff with a long subject line.

Sub: Your diplomat John Malvin just arrived John.F.Kennedy international airport New York Usa, contact him now with your full details and also your valid phone number at (j.malvin3@aol.com or call +1 (914-205-1044) for the delivery of your cash consignment box to your home.

This letter will definitely be astonishing to you because of its realistic value. Sorry for the inconveniences that was rendered to you in your line of your payment transaction with some impersonators some while ago. I know that this letter will hit you as surprise, but firstly I will like to introduce myself to you, I am Mr Godwin Emefiele the Executive Governor Central Bank of Nigeria. It was agreed that to retain the good image of Nigeria and the rest of African countries, all the victims who lost his/her hard earn money to these faceless thieves will be compensated. Note that We have received the instructions from the president of Nigeria to commence the immediate release of your fund because we know that you have been expecting to receive it long time ago. So you have 24hrs to Contact John now with your full information, also the name of the closet airport to you via email (j.malvin3@aol.com) also you can call or send him sms with your details at +1(914-205-1044) and will wait for your call or email for him to enlighten you more on how to receive your fund.



Airports and intrigue. I've seen the Fort Wayne airport mentioned. Truly an international fiasco!

To those who give unsolicited advice on the internet

I am going to place A and will stay in place B with a view of place C
I am not going to take into account that I stay in place D with no view
Or that I go into the countryside, outside of the city limits of A to see a sheep farm
I can go to the Ohio State Sheep Center, anytime I want
And I do not want

A vineyard, sure. That’s the only farm I want to see
If I wanted to see riots from the fifth floor, I would find a room with a view of E
But I do not want to see riots, smell tear gas or witness Gendarmes beating people up
I will take into account bakeries, as food is in my wife’s wheelhouse and I will need food
to soak up all the drinking I plan on doing
Do I want to stand in a crowded room of people in the Louvre, cell phones out, taking pictures of the Mona Lisa?
Not really, but I would not mind skipping through the room Anna Karina did in Bande a Part
Catacombs, ancient skulls at night, Pere LaChaise even without Jim Morrison’s grave are right in if you knew me,
giver of unsolicited advice

I’m going to eat chocolate, croissants, baguettes, drink wine, drink coffee, be claustrophobic in crowds of tourist attractions that are being loved to death, people watch, speak awful French, be insulted and scorned by the residents
and make love to my wife
In a hotel
That has a view
Of the Eiffel Tower
And none of your projections are going to stop me

The streets were full of slow moving cars

My son started school today and is technically in ninth grade. It's hard enough to let that try and sink in before realizing he will be fifteen in two weeks. He's growing taller, his feet are almost as big as mine and we're going out for new shoes this weekend.

The rest is still unknown.

Received a direct message a couple of days ago from a person who had never heard of Tom Lehrer before they came across my blog. The person was having a rough time of it recently and the discovery of his music really improved their mood. I was thanked profusely.

Glad that I could make a difference in a small, positive way. Something I thought about after a rough day in which I sat in traffic four about three and a half out of four hours straight then walked into a boisterous and loud restaurant when all I wanted was a tiny bit of peace and quiet. I plodded through, and my lovely wife did her best to improve my own stressed out ass.

Now if we all could try and make that much of a difference to better shit.

He must read this blog

Jeffrey Berman

(No subject)

Hi, I'm Jeffrey Berman. I write to you in good faith and hoping that you will understand the importance of my email. My decision to contact you is because I have been recently diagnosed with Cancer and the doctor said I have less than 8 weeks to live. I have decided to DONATE US$8,500,000 to you to promote charity works, children in need, the poor and to help the homeless.

When spam asks you if you want to stop spam

Support@emrcy.journeycontrol.com

Hi
it seem's that you receive a lot of spam do you want the spam to stop?
Answer me,


Did not even say please.

Next time I will wear pants, ok?

The spam filter has had some rather insulting emails inside of it recently.

A few fake addys sending some rather insulting bile. Some time of poison pen scheme?

From: Your EX @ newsletter@clin.afterharprates.com

Subject: our cloths are disguisting - Just so you know

Dude, I always wanted to tell you that the cloths you wear do not look that good on you. Please be more classy! It is for your well-being. Just an advice from a friend.

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.

Another new tactic

My Name is Rose Modupe an orphan, I gave birth to twins 2 boys but I ve' decided to give them up for adoption because I can't take care of them. If you are ready to adopt them or anyone of the babies, please reply back so we can start the paper work and adoption fees.

Short and to the point, he wants to adopt me

Esteem Greeting, I'm Jeffrey Berman and an 63-years-old widower. I have just been informed by my doctor that I only have few months to live due to cancer illness and I am about to end the race like this without a child. I decided to donate $8,500,000 US Dollars to you to promote charity works. Please reply me for more details on this noble project of mine.

Taking on the sunshine brigade.

Earlier a friend did a Facebook post inviting us to share unpopular Columbus opinions. It turned into a long thread. It seems that some feathers got ruffled as some of their sacred cows were grilled.

Anyway, to contrast.

Ten things I think are cool about Columbus:
1) The number of first run and art films available. Plus the wonderful CAPA Summer Movie Series.
2) You can find a good poetry reading just about any night.
3) My mortgage is about a third of what some people are paying in rent.
4) The Scioto Mile is an asset to downtown.
5) The Metroparks system is well taken care of, pretty safe, and a great way to connect with nature.
6) Our public library system is thriving where others are being cannibalized.
7) Four String Brewery's commitment to the west side. They make some good beer too.
8) The thrifting here is good. Plenty of places to shop.
9) Not one, not two, not three but four (Southern, Ohio, Palace, Lincoln) old theaters have been preserved and restored to their former glory. A lot of places can no longer claim one.
10) Our ice cream kicks ass.

I'll pick Click Bait for $1200 Alex

Last week I took the Jeopardy online test. Initially I did well, better than some of the other tests I've taken. Then I saw the replay of the questions and I got at least nine wrong (out of 50 questions) and stand a slim chance to move on in the process.

Today I got an email from Jeopardy. It's subject heading was, "Congratulations!"

Intrigued, but not convinced, I opened the email, which said, "CONGRATULATIONS! You completed the online test. If you pass we'll contact you to schedule an audition."

Bite me you teases!

Because of the Columbus Day holiday my son had no school so I have been watching him today. It's been rather chill. We took a walk downtown earlier. The meters were free thanks to the oppressor's holiday. My son got to meet one of the three deer along the Scioto Mile.



He seemed to enjoy the walk. He walks very fast, faster than me and it was a struggle for my out of shape self to keep up with him. He liked the loop, we did not see anything twice, and he did not complain when we got back to the car. Dad win.

Perot's giant sucking sound has gone in another direction

Back in the late 90's at my horrible job at Long's Bookstore my coworker in the supply department and I would listen to the Jim Rome radio show while pricing merchandise.

Say what you want about Rome, it does not really matter now. One of his 'rules' for getting on the phone in part of the show was, "Have a take, and don't suck."

And get of my lawn I would like social media commenters to follow that Rome Rule, but it does not happen.

Plenty of takes from people who like to see their profile pictures in the comments section, who may seem to thrive on the attention their posts get, negative or not - and plenty of sucking out there.

I do not have much energy to engage with people I know, let alone strangers on the internet. Better for me to keep quiet.

A vaudeville trick

Was thinking about pith helmets last night and this morning, and the colonialism they ended up representing. To me the helmet was something Groucho Marx wore in Animal Crackers, part of a costume. Then I realized Captain Spaulding was probably a poacher, or even worse.

Everything becomes problematic, if you really want to parse through it enough.

The original excitement over the Ghostbusters trailer quickly became but aren't there enough sassy black women who are not scientists the way the while women are depicted in this film.

Ten years ago today, I mentioned pith helmets in a live journal post.

I did not know this while I was thinking of the pith helmets.

Years ago, I did dress as Groucho for Halloween, and wore a borrowed pith helmet. I do not think my costume was problematic even though I put lamp black on my eyebrows and upper lip.

Ghostbusters 1984 is as good as Animal Crackers, but not Duck Soup. I hope Ghostbusters 2016 is better than A Day at the Races, or at least The Big Store.

No, I do not know what any of this means - other than I want the best for all of us.

Millie Jackson gets it right

Some days I want to put this in as a comment to a lot of posts on social media.