Yup. The MSM sure is trustworthy.

Incredible

The United States Navy lost approximately 380 ships to combat in WWII. To put that in perspective, we currently have 430 ships total (active and mothballed).

USS Indianapolis

USS Indianapolis was a decent enough movie but I would have improved it 1000% by abandoning the chronological structure. Open w/ the court martial,  flashback to the sinking,  use the courtroom appearance of the Japanese commander as a pivot point in the narrative.  Alas,  I am not a Hollywood screenwriter.

Barcelona (by Yaya)

A Tour Bus Mishap

YaYa's tour bus was in an accident (it was unoccupied by the girls at the time) and the resulting delay meant they scrapped the day in Rome.  Seeing Italy is great,  something I'll probably never do,  but seeing it without Rome is like visiting  New York State and only seeing Buffalo and Albany. I'm not sure who was more upset,  me or her.

So True

If you start a sentence with ALL, you’re probably about to say something stupid.

This is the tweet that got James Gunn fired. And deservedly so. /saracsm

No Suprise

The alleged racist note left on a restaurant bill in Texas has been exposed as a fabrication by the server. Maybe the media shouldn't jump on every accusation until there's proof.  But that's probably too much to ask.

Truth

The immediate difference between a good low budget film and a complete turd is the quality of the acting. Quit giving roles to your friends and hold auditions until you find someone with talent. #please

British v American

I was watching a British film, and the young fit character was robbed of his wallet and wedding ring by an *unarmed man.* Hard to believe 75 years ago the Brits ruled most of the world and fought off Hitler. Here's how that scene plays in an American film..

Thief: Gimme your wallet and ring. 

Man: Do you have a gun?

Thief : No

Man: A knife? Do you at least have a big knife?

Thief: Well, no. 

Man: Then . . . I'm going to F you up and take YOUR wallet. 

The view from YaYa's hotel 

Preconception

Maybe it's just me, but when your hip surgeon greets you with "Hey Big Guy" (and this is BEFORE I removed my pants), then maybe his refusal to replace the bad hip is based on his preconception the pain is weight related and not on the facts. Especially since I've dropped 100 pounds since the accident.

Two Nightmares

Last night was the third night in a row I've woken up from nightmares, presumably because I've had to take pain meds for the hip at bedtime. This one involved our old Aspire, the addict brother of a friend, Tre's Mother, roaches, and the library. Ludicrous after waking, but insane in the moment.

Update: I took a nap and had the worst nightmare of my life. Ultra realistic, to the point I didn't believe assurances it didn't happen. One thing I know for sure: I'm not saying I couldn't get hooked on pain killers (anyone can) but with this side effect I'd be the rare junkie that doesn't enjoy it.

The Tipton

If you ask my parents, I’ve been saying that the only reason I was excited to go to Boston was because that’s where Zach and Cody are from. On our duck tour, we got to see the Tipton hotel 🤩 - YaYa

NATO

Aside from the check on Russian aggression, NATO must be understood in the light of the historical belief - held and expressed by consecutive Presidents - that only the presence of the US prevents Europe from slipping into inevitable warfare on the continent.

Indeed, the 73 years of peace post WWII is double the length of any prior peace. HW Bush was adamant a reunited Germany stay in the alliance just for that reason. 

But is that a true concern in the era of the EU? And if it still is, is it a good enough reason for our commitment? Would we inevitably be drawn into another European squabble if we left, or could we sit it out (if Russia kept to their own borders)? 

I don't know.

Airline Problems

Woke up to find Yaya's flight out of Milwaukee was cancelled.  Now rescheduled for a slightly later flight, but unfortunately with a layover in Baltimore.

Yaya departed for her trip this morning. As we checked her in many people that were showing up for her original flight were told of the cancellation and informed that the next flight was sold out, with the next nonstop leaving in 24 hours. "Good thing I called and rebooked your ticket," I said. All she said in response was "thanks" but I'm telling you it was the most sincere and honest thank you I've heard from her in years :) Safe travels kid!

YaYa's connecting flight was cancelled and she's stranded in Baltimore. I'm working the phones as I write this.

YaYa'snow booked on an 8pm to Logan, arriving at 935. She'll spend six hours in the terminal, but that's better than overnight.

YaYa was supposed to be in Boston by 9am. When last we spoke half an hour ago, at 8:30pm, she was hopeful that she was going to depart; this, after eight hours of waiting in the airport alone, having the flight bumped multiple times, boarding then being told to deplane, and waiting in vain on the tarmac. #FingersCrossed

YaYa is in Boston and has met up with the tour leader!

Many thanks to Garrett E and Cullen B., residents of Maryland and Mass respectively,  for offering to help YaYa during her travel fiasco!

Two days (almost to the minute) until YaYa  leaves for Europe!

Getting Ready for Europe!

Not to be petty (tho I am) but YaYa  has accumulated an awful lot of "IOU cash for your European trip" in lieu of Christmas and birthday gifts over the last year. If you're one of the folks who slipped that note into a card in the last 365, her trip is in 6 days . . .

She's started packing for Europe!

Lemonade!

Junie is hosting a lemonade and iced tea stand outside our home. Patronize her. Thank you.

Summer Goodbyes

Today we dropped LuLu at UW Madison for two week college scholarship program and afterward Smiley at a two week Y camp in Hubertus. Busy day, and they will be missed. Xo.

Thanks for driving Dan.. Next traveler leaving is YaYa in 9 days to Greece, Italy and Spain.  - Lisa 

Dropped Lulu off for a two week stay in the UW dorms, part of the requirements for her scholarship program. Good luck kid, we'll miss you!  - Dan

After Madison we drove  Smiley up to YMCA camp, where he'll spend two weeks.  We'll miss you bruh!

Bad Zuck

Facebook has apologized for censoring the Declaration of Independence as "Hate Speech" after a Facebook algorithm took down excerpts of the historic document, saying they went "against our standards."

I've Achieved the Impossible

I just successfully trimmed Custard's nails!!! 

Happy 4th!

Happy Fourth of July! - Lisa 

A Brewers Game with Junie!

A big thanks to Alan J for some free Brewers tickets today! Junie i and I found a huge bug on the VA walking path,  and a woman's DL and Zoo Pass that I returned via Facebook - and all that excitement was before a Brewers victory that included a shirt giveaway!

Lebron to LA

LeBron James has agreed to a 4-year, $154 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. I regret that I must now follow the Lakers.