Getting ready for Easter Vigil, the ONLY Mass I don't have to threaten violence to get the kids to attend. Holding a candle in a dark church and betting on whether someone's hairspray catches fire really seems to inspire their Faith.

Getting ready for Easter Vigil, the ONLY Mass I don't have to threaten violence to get the kids to attend. Holding a candle in a dark church and betting on whether someone's hairspray catches fire really seems to inspire their Faith.

Now and Then

 

Easter 2010, and Easter 2016. The days are long, but the years are short. #wistful

- YaYa

 

13 Hours: The Inside Story about What Really Happened in Benghazi

 A blow-by-blow account of what happened on the ground in Benghazi on September 11, 2012. It's pretty obvious there's no nefarious Washington conspiracy behind it, just a series of f'up's that led to the Ambassador's death. Clinton may have shifted blame away from Al-Qaeda and onto a You Tube video, but that's a sin AFTER the fact. Frankly, the action is so paltry it would barely qualify as a skirmish elsewhere, and it struggles to be book length without padding.

Time for a #revival of this fashion trend

 

 @ The Chancery in Mequon with YaYa. Taking a pause from driving in this storm

Gary Shandling and Joe Garagiola

 RIP Gary Shandling and Joe Garagiola

 I just spoke to the hospital and my Mom was admitted overnight. 

I spoke with my Mom at 2:30 am. Although hospitalized, it appears she'll be fine. I'll know more later. Meanwhile, with their apartment unlivable right now, my Dad and oldest sister are camped out at my niece's place.

A Follow up to the fire at my Parent's apartment building

I just spoke to the hospital and my Mom was admitted overnight.

I spoke with my Mom at 2:30 am. Although hospitalized, it appears she'll be fine. I'll know more later. Meanwhile, with their apartment unlivable right now, my Dad and oldest sister are camped out at my niece's place.

This isn't an original thought, but I'm tired of the cartoon tributes, sidewalk murals, and hashtag campaigns in the wake of terrorist attacks. It's sweet, it's genuine, but it's also impotent and doesn't change a damn thing. In the words of JFK, reason does not always appeal to unreasonable men. No matter what you do, say, think, or feel, if someone is willing to strap a bomb on their chest and kill random innocent strangers than your well wishes will do squat to change their mind. Tolerance only works when it's a two way street, and this is as one way as you can get. Quit sugarcoating what's going on, and respond in the only way that matters, and the only way that will END the threat: find the enemy, kill the enemy.

This morning's events (terror attackers in Belgium) sadly made me recall a very non-PC joke Pete Townsend made at The Who concert last night, one I'm not surprised didn't make the newspaper review. This was Pete Townsend speaking, of Amnesty International and all causes liberal. He was talking about how the band was still struggling to make it in America after success in Britain: "In '67 we were still trying to crack America . . . 'crack America'. That sounds a bit Moooslem, doesn't it?"

The Who in Concert

 Last night I took YaYa to see The Who at the Bradley Center. The show was originally scheduled for October but delayed due to illness. We were in true Uecker/nosebleed seats, in the 2nd to last row of the arena, but oddly had a great view. After a good but somber opening act that was far too young for most of the crowd to appreciate (Joan Jett, originally scheduled, couldn't make the redo), The Who took the stage. And then, when Townsend did his iconic windup and launched into "Who are You", and the arena filled with sound, the BIGGEST, most genuine smile appeared on YaYa's face. *That* was the best moment of the night for me. The Who played 21 songs, including some rarer tracks, and while Roger's voice has weakened with age (he's TWO years older than both my father and Lisa's Mom), they were in fine form. Townsend in particular was grand, playing with deceptive ease. It was a great show, and I was deeply honored to have had a chance to see this band, and to do so in the company of a great young woman. #TheWho

My parent's apartment building catches fire

My Mom's apartment building caught fire this afternoon. You may have seen it on the news. I don't know many details, other than my Mom is in the hospital with smoke inhalation. I'm not even sure she'll be admitted. I spoke with her and she seems OK. No word on the condition of the apartment. My Dad and sister are alright.

Terror in Belgium

 At least 26 dead and 100 wounded in terror attacks at the airport and subway in Belgium this morning, with survivors reporting at least one bomber shouting in Arabic before the murders. My heart truly goes out to the victims, and my venom towards their killers . . .

My Thoughts - Cuba

 I actually don't mind Obama ending the ineffective 50 year cold war with Cuba. If we can tolerate China and Vietnam, it seems pointless to draw a line in the sand with Havana. But standing at attention in front of a mural of terrorist and butcher Che Guevara is the latest faux pas by our President. For such a smooth operator domestically, he sure seems inept when on diplomatic trips abroad.

 I've been found out once or twice! - Lisa

 AT THE BUZZER!!!! #Sweet16

UW vs Xavier 

A Day at the Gym

 The hip is bad today, so I concentrated on the upper body. A big thanks to these two for keeping me company! (And yes, LuLu s reading on the treadmill.)

A Dateline Dilemma

 #TeamSlap loves tv news magazines like Dateline, 48 hours, On the Case, and 20/20, BUT according to them every single victim is sweet, personable, bright, kind, compassionate, and has no enemies in the world (well, you had *one* bucko, or you wouldn't be dead, eh?). So I told Smiley: "The lesson here, boy? Grow up to be a jerk. You'll live forever."

 @ Zablocki Library with LuLu

My 42nd Birthday

Thanks for all the birthday wishes! 

To celebrate my 42nd we attended evening Mass together (although if I'd remembered it was Palm Sunday, I would have thought twice - as always, a long service LOL). 

Then #TeamSlap  headed over to TGI Friday's at Miller Park for dinner. We went all out, even letting the kids order Smoothies and appetizers. I ordered salmon and lobster, but was a little disappointed in both the serving size and the flavor. 

Once we got home I was serenaded with Happy Birthday and had some cake. My gifts (other than family time): a Gene Rayburn biography from Jennifer J, a wireless mouse for my laptop, workout shorts, a new wallet, and best of all: two packages of Peeps!  The kids then volunteered to go to the gym with me, but I was pooped.

 A fine birthday

 A half hour on the weight machines, followed by five minutes of crying in the parking lot.

Christmas 2002

 We're watching a video of Christmas 2002, when 3rd shift of Job Prior gathered at my mother in law's house.

This is Dale C:

The kids are home (MPS has off) and they are horribly upset that I said we'll be going to Mass on my birthday. Apparently, that's a violation of some birthday law of which I was previously unaware.