I just finished a ten question, three and a half hour tax exam. I had never, in my life, dreaded a test more, but it wasn't quite as horrible as I feared. The curve may be helped by the fact that it was the last class for many graduates, and no less than four told me they did just enough to pass and no more. As for my own grade, I'll take what I get, as long as I pass. C's get degrees too.

Some Post-Recital Pics

Some post recital pics (I went to the first matinee, Lisa went to the evening show). That's LK's friend Aly in one pic; in another, OJ holds a kid from a babysitting job she just landed at the show, and lastly I treated both girls to dinner at Subway.

I just turned on the tv and by chance NASCAR was on from Talledega. A driver is trapped (but ok) in his overturned car. The 16 car! accident footage is wicked. "Like Matchbox cars in a dryer!"

LOL

Lisa told Junie to throw out this Barbie we found after a winter buried below the trampoline. "No, I think she's pretty. She's Reality Barbie" LK said. "Yeah, if your reality is meth," said Lisa.

Intermission

Intermission of the dance recital - at Pius XI High School

Dance Time!

In front of my old TAC (homeroom) as I wait for the girl's dance recital to start. - @ Pius XI High School

My Thoughts

Remember: When the Mainstream Media says "Here's what you need to know about xyz" what they mean is "Here's what we need you to believe about xyz".

Is this 1929 all over again?

Um, this is OUR bank. Gulp From the Journal Sentinel: 

 BREAKING: Guaranty Bank, unable to ever recover from devastating loan losses stemming from the housing and foreclosure crisis, has failed and was shut down by regulators.

YaYa's 2017 Prom!

In 2014 the Bradley Foundation compiled what's being described as a "hit list" against liberal organizations they refused to fund. 

 Good for them. Liberal foundations certainly aren't funding conservative causes. Why expect a double standard?

I haven't seen the black station wagon with all the scripture, aka "godmobile" for awhile and looked it up. Brother Ron is still going strong but apparently sticks mostly to Wisconsin avenue these days. Was it always just this one guy or were there others? Do any of my fb friends know more about this Milwaukee fixture? - Lisa

Prince Philip, the spouse of Queen Elizabeth II, will retire from royal duties this autumn.

The Soup Kitchen

LuLu helps out running a Brownie troop, and they volunteered at the local soup kitchen!

My Thoughts

Nothing in the Arts is as predictable as an artist/writer/actor calling their old work "extremely relevant in today's political/social climate" if they sense a few extra bucks in their pocket for the telling.

LuLu!

My Thoughts

My paternal Grandfather was a welder, my maternal Grandfather a lather. 

If you don't want a four year degree, there is no shame in a skilled trade. 

If you want a job that requires an education, there's no shame in a white collar trade. 

The pendulum of public opinion has swung too hard to the trades. Both roles are honorable, both are valuable, both are needed. Cut the bullsh--t propaganda to the contrary. 

I'm looking at you, Mike Rowe.

At the Gym with Smiley

A mighty fine workout with Smiley. And I brought my late father-in-laws lifting gloves.

Junie's group project

A couple hours ago I took LK and her friends to the Cudahy library to brainstorm an anti-bullying poster they've been assigned. Then on to Dollar Tree for supplies. Yay! What fun for me 😉

It's an ugly choice

I'm watching a Cubs-Red Sox game. There's no one to root for here. It's like being asked to choose between Stalin or PolPot.

Progress from Custard

Yes it's blurry, but it's momentous. After two years, our cat Custard came up on the couch and sat on my lap (for a few moments). While she'll cuddle with the kids upstairs, she is rarely seen on the first floor except when she eats, and she's never been held or picked up. #progress

Mike Trout

You wanna know why Mike Trout gets "no love," despite being the reincarnation of Mickey Mantle? Because he's as boring as a sewing show on PBS. The man exudes zero charisma to the public.

Landscaping!

LK and I did some landscaping today after school!

Behave on FB

I blocked someone on FB for the first time in . . . well, it might be the first time ever. It was not a FB friend but a FOAF (friend of a friend). They were on the opposite end of the political spectrum, which I can handle, but in addition to being wrong they were obnoxious, demeaning, and insulting, and I do not have the patience for that crap today. Buh-bye.

Birds and Bees Indeed

I'm no zoologist, but I just watched two ducks f-ing on the lawn of my kid's school. The male appeared to finish, push the female down into the grass, then strut away #WellDonePlaya

A fun little guessing game

Ok not many of these look fun but this does. 10 concerts I've been to but one is a lie. Which one?

1. Alice in Chains

2. Kenny Rogers

3. Madonna

4. Metallica

5. Garth Brooks

6. Billy Ray Cyrus

7. Tina Turner

8. New Kids on the Block

9. Prince

10. Alanis Morissette

Good luck

The answer? I've never seen Metallica in concert.