Rowdy Piper

RIP the great Rowdy Roddy Piper, wrestling legend and one of my faves as a kid. :(

The Milwaukee Lion (update)

I heard a conspiracy theory that said the lion was a creation of the Mayor's office, one designed to keep North siders inside at night and slow the homicide rate. A juicy story, but a stretch.

In non-tin foil hat news, Fox6 is reporting that tracks have been photographed, and are confirmed to be from a large feline with retractable claws.

Ouch

To top off the last hour, I was at Walmart and slipped on some hangers that were left on the floor. I fell, driving my knees into the concrete floor, scraping and bruising them both. The manager had me fill out a form, making sure to blame it on a careless customer. Which may be true, but as Justice Holmes would respond, the banana peel was black and rotten: they should have picked up the area.

He Could Have Been Our Doggo

Although I do not favor dogs, and consider them far inferior to cats, I am smitten with one that is available and have failed to convince Lisa it is worth at least a looksie. As she is smarter than me, she continues to say no. As I am more obnoxious and persistent than her, I continue to ask. It's quite the merry go-round, minus the "merry" bit.

FYI, the dog in discussion.

Update The dog is gone, adopted into another family. Lisa wins. NEVER let her convince you she doesn't wield a fair share of influence here, or that I "always" get my way. #unhappy #pissy

My Swim Class

LK came to watch me at swim class tonight.

4 Pounds

Down another four + pounds. Sadly, my first thought was "We should go to Olive Garden to celebrate".

Palamino

We tried a new (to us) restaurant in Bay View tonight, courtesy of the certificate Lisa won in the talent show. The food was great, the prices reasonable by BV standards, and the bar itself inviting. The waitress wasn't very good (gave us the wrong appetizer, took it back, and brought out the correct one AFTER dinner!) but we'll be back.

Here We Go Again

The cops are back, presumably for the neighbors. Or they took that "dragging a body through the woods" meme too seriously. Either/or.

My Thoughts - the trophy hunter

All well and good to criticize the dentist who shot that beloved lion in Africa, but uh, folks? That country allows and encourages trophy hunting, presumably because the income the tourism brings in is of immense value to its impoverished people. 

Once again, the First World screams in protest over an animal but ignores the millions of humans in poverty, especially since they're African. 

You want to save your precious lion? Build their economy and eliminate the incentive to allow the sport. #hypocrites

A Funny and a Truth

:)

Two years ago LuLu went around constantly asking "Who invented . . . ?". Now Smiley, at that same age, starts out every fifth sentence by saying "Did you know . . . " followed by some obscure trivia :)

My Thoughts

The intellectual world's obsession AGAINST professional athletes annoys me, as if it's impossible to appreciate and follow sports and still be intelligent. It's petty jealousy by snobs. I can quote batting averages from 1941 off the top of my head, and dissect a boxing match in progress. It doesn't stop me from knowing who was Eisenhower's attorney general. As for their pay, if only 600 people in the world had the skill set to operate a McDonald's, those 600 would be making a few million a year too.

Friday the 13th - The Series

Great show. I miss it

Junie

WTH

Just woke up to 14 tactical officers storming the house next door - body armor, helmets, rifles, battering rams, etc. 

Update: They ordered us to stay inside until the house was secure, and then we had to start our day. When I returned two hours later they were still there, then they abruptly departed en masse around 10 after about four and a half hours.

My Day

I still haven't gone back to bed. After dropping off GC at her job and OJ at the camp shuttle, Lisa and I watched two episodes of "White Collar Brawlers", then PD and I went to Home Depot. I've changed the bulbs in the motion light, replaced a rotten board on the shed, and repainted the trim on the shed. A big thank you to LK and PD for their help!

LuLu's Heading to Camp

LuLu started another week of Camp Silverbrook this morning.

Ouch

Yesterday, after cutting the lawn, I went for a bike ride with LK and about two blocks from the store my hip went crazy. I made it to the store but for the first time had to call Lisa to come give me a ride home (good bit: Lisa biked home with LK on my bike). Tonight I woke up after two hours of sleep with my hip again acting wonky. Especially considering how mild the accident seemed, this injury is ridiculous. #ugh

The Milwaukee Lion

As soon as the police confirmed the existence of the Milwaukee Lion, Facebook lit up with comments begging for it to be spared. "0h please oh please oh please don't hurt it," one person pleaded. Where were these sentiments when 90 odd humans were killed this year in Milwaukee?  Oh,  I forgot. They were busy dismissing it because it was "just"  the North side, or sniping at the city while they themselves quit and moved to their precious suburb. My bad.

Darn Right

At Mass this evening the Priest gave a homily centered around the life of Vincent Willem van Gogh. As the story progressed he went on about how "a doctor" helped van Gogh, about how "a doctor" saved his life in his hour of need, about how "a doctor" was there for him, etc. 

I elbowed YaYa and leaned over. "Not *a* doctor," I whispered, "THE Doctor"

Things Never Change

My Thoughts - On How to Improve Milwaukee

If it was an either/or where either my neighborhood was safe from violent crime, or yours on the North side, then tough luck and remember to duck. The instinct to protect one's own is paramount and should be encouraged  But it's NOT either/or, or shouldn't be. There's no excuse for 91 murders in less than seven full months, most concentrated in or near a single zip code. We are one city, not two, and the tendency to look the other way and let the North side burn is abhorrent. Let it continue and we'll all be Detroit, not just a neighborhood in 53206. I have to get off my ass and make a difference, and you should too. All our future's are at stake.

Agreed but easier said then done when your neighbor is selling from his porch, two lots are vacant, and the only business in a half mile is a liquor store. One idea I've had,v and this is top of the head stuff, is to recruit a business into those areas through tax and property incentives in exchange for a mandatory # of employees hired and retained from within that zip code. And I know the market is poor, but why is the City still retaining ownership of foreclosured properties? If you can't sell them, give them at reduced rates to folks who agree to retain residence, off govt assistance and without convictions for ten years. It gets that house occupied and property taxes coming in.

And I doubt the legality or PR of closing streets due to crime, but if there is a known strip then why doesn't the city mysteriously close it for non existent road work at night?

double down on the suburban slum lords who rent out crime nests. Hit them in the wallet and take away their rental property.

MPS isn't as bad as advertised. Show up and don't f* around and you'll get your education. public schools will always be hindered by the necessity of accepting everyone. more emphasis needs to be placed on those that try.

Why are you calling me??

The Duff

Very cute movie. Worth the overdue charge from Redbox, and from me that's saying something.

Sounds About Right

Me (getting up from the couch): I have to pee

Lisa: Do you want me to pause the movie?

Dan: No, I'll be back in thirty seconds.

Lisa: Don't pee all over the toilet.

Dan: Fine, forty seconds then.

A Collection of Quotes

“The truth is like a lion. You don’t have to defend it, let it loose, and it will defend itself.” 

-St. Augustine of Hippo

"Anybody remotely interesting is mad in some way." The Doctor, "The Greatest Show in the Galaxy" (1988)

“During working hours, we make a living. During leisure hours, we make a life.” – Dorothy Enderis, Milwaukee Recreation Director, 1920-1948.

Track and Field and an Air Show!

Over there, on the track, Smiley is running in the full wrath of an 80+ degree sun. Me? I'm comfy and cool on my parade chair here in the shade, enjoying the breeze and reading "rants & raves" on Craigslist. It's a good hour for Dad.

A formation of jets just flew over the field, close enough to really get a good look at them, did a maneuver, then went back around to do it again. I wish I could have zoomed in better. The noise - wow!

The jets continue to twist and turn overhead, sometimes appearing so close you could grab them out of the sky. #FrontRowSeats #WowYesWow

Parents Day at Swim Class!

This morning LK and I biked to and from her swim class, and unbeknownst to us it was Parents Day and I got to sit and watch. She was the only kid in the class to do the elementary backstroke without assistance! Good job kid!!

A Bank Complaint

Yesterday when my credit card was lost I called and had the bank put a temporary hold on it; I was very pleased with them, since I was pretty sure the card was lost in the house or car but wanted to be safe. Alas, after finding it today the bank at first refused to release the hold, saying they have no such policy and I'd need to wait 7 days for a new card. That's what 17 years of customer loyalty will do for you nowadays. After raising a fuss and pointing out I had asked about the temp hold ON A RECORDED LINE, I got management approval to reactive the card. What a sh*t bank.

Smiley tries Sushi

I ordered a salmon roll today (seaweed, rice, raw salmon) and Smiley asked to try it all on his own. He took two bites and didn't like it. [If we were anyone else I'd have to add that he didn't spit it out, but if a kid of ours ever spit out food they'd have bigger problems to deal with than a bit of sushi they didn't like]. Anyway, I was proud of him and I'm pretty confident he'll become a fan later in life. He also tried a slice of fresh ginger, on its own, but skipped the wasabi.

The Air Show

You know you're a red-blooded American when the sound of military jets overhead sends a thrill down your spine - not just because they're cool, but because you know you're part of one of the biggest, baddest m'fing nations in history. Who needs tickets to the airshow? From here you can see them just as well.

Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!

It sucked. It sucked big time. And Tara Reid? Someone please put her out of her misery. My word.

The Beer Can Cake

Here's the beer can cake Lisa made our nephew for his 21st birthday on Monday. On Tuesday he came over for dinner and hung out a few hours, something I hope he does more often in the future.

Swim Class

Only two of us showed up for swim class today. The instructor said that's typical for an adult class, which usually winds up with zero students by the end. Anyhow, I tread water today for the first time, managing to do it twice for a minute apiece.

A Brewers Trade

The Brewers have traded Aramis Ramirez to the Pirates.

Good for Him!

Ouch

Lisa took the kids and their friends to Fox Brook Lake today while I caught up on my sleep, and they had a blast. She also came home as red as a lobster, despite slathering on sunscreen. *shakes head* Crazy northern European skin. Me? I bronze like a mf'ing *god*.

37 years of Progess

LOL

A Free Pass for the Dem

A Cosby Meme

Again, to be clear, the subject matter is NOT a laughing matter. But the meme is.

NASA News

NASA has released the first new picture of the entire Earth (well, one hemisphere's worth) since 1972.

If Only

Sure, it sounds piggish. But it's a dang shame that the stars of the '30's and '40's  (like Ginger Rogers in this pic) didn't live in an era of on screen nudity and cell phone photo leaks. :( #truth

Yup

If there's anyone that knows less about home improvement than I do, it's the employee's at #TheHomeDepot

Full Circle

A new idea? Only if it's 1915. Neat tho - and pricey.

School Supply Shopping

Lisa I got most of the school supply list for the youngest three polished off yesterday, courtesy of a run to Target and a massive layaway at K-Mart. Now all we have to do is pay off the layaway. And buy school clothes. And shoes. And we still haven't even seen YaYa's supply list yet. So, um, yeah, all that.

Custard takes a leap of faith

While I'm bored and lonely, I might as well mention that a couple of weeks ago our one eyed cat Custard jumped out of Yaya's second floor window, landed on the cement fifteen-twenty feet below, marched up the back porch, and meowed until the frightened kids ran downstairs to check on her and let her in. Just jumped. No reason. Crazy - and lucky - cat.

Go to Sleep Lu

I went to bed before midnight, woke up at two (oddly, it was after a sweet dream, one where Parker cuddled up next to me to watch a movie) and can't fall back asleep. Yet. Just as well, since LuLu is still awake and posting on FB! LOL

I wish I could screenshot the ongoing Messenger chat with Lu. She's a pre-teen nut, but she is mighty entertaining. Go to sleep!!!!

Jonah Turns 21

Today my nephew/Godson Jonah turns 21. He was our "practice" kid, something every future parent should have to learn just a bit about what it takes to raise a child of their own. Some of our good parenting - and none of our bad - is owed to the years we spent with him. It's a cliche because it's so accurate, but I can't believe how fast the years have flown by. I still remember the day he was born like it was only a week ago. Enjoy (full) adulthood Jonah, and remember to make the world a better place. Happy 21st Birthday! Love you!