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New Year's Eve: Cold and Colder, Open Thread

Happy New Year's Eve Everyone!

I took the week off from blogging because I was so busy at work -- and I can't stand to write about Donald Trump. This has been the worst year to be an American. There is good news: Only 1,116 days left until the 2020 election.

It's a sunny morning here in Denver, but according to to Accuweather, in 50 minutes, at 10:53 a.m., the snow will start falling.

It's crazy that people would venture out to Times Square. They are probably mostly young tourists, but where is their common sense? No bathrooms, no backpacks, no food vendors....what for? To see the same thing you can see inside your warm and toasty home or at any bar? (Which reminds me, the DUI cops will be out in force, so for those of you venturing out, don't drink and drive.)

Does anyone here have any fun plans tonight? I am staying in, writing two sentencing briefs due Tuesday and cooking a big steamy pot of chicken soup with matzoh balls.

Happy New Year Everyone! This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    Happy New Year (5.00 / 4) (#1)
    by Zorba on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 11:23:28 AM EST
    To everyone.  May you all have a healthy, safe, and blessed 2018.  And may 2018 be a better year for our country than 2017.

    We are staying in and having sautéed striped bass filets with browned butter and lime, stir-fried vegetables and rice, plenty of very nice cheeses and charcuterie, and tiropita triangles (Greek cheeses with phyllo, formed into small triangles.)  And oh, a soup course of Vietnamese beef and rice noodle soup/stew.  Not pho- this one is very spicy.
    Plus a very nice bottle of champagne to wash it all down with.

    And I am making Greek vasilopita, a Greek sweet bread (in some regions of Greece, a cake, but my family made the bread) in which a coin is hidden.  It is cut on New Years Day, which is (more importantly for the Greeks) also St. Basil's Day. Whoever gets the coin in their slice of bread receives blessings and good luck all year.

    Love tiropita. It is very popular (none / 0) (#46)
    by oculus on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 09:09:25 PM EST
    at the music meet-ups at my house.

    Parent
    Our traditional NYE, carrying on (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by Peter G on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 11:42:59 AM EST
    a longtime practice of my late parents, has been to cook live lobster and have a really nice dinner at home with a small number of friends, then talk, drink a little, and listen to great music until midnight. This year, for whatever reasons, the friends we have shared this tradition with in recent years have to be away.  So we are cooking a boneless roast of lamb for ourselves. Nice bottle of wine, stay home, listen to music or watch a movie (or both), text (former tradition was to call) each of our three grown kids with New Years greetings, then to bed shortly after midnight. Ready to Take Back the House (and hopefully also the Senate) in 2018.

    New Year's Eve is probably my least (5.00 / 4) (#3)
    by Anne on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 12:09:08 PM EST
    favorite holiday - too many trying too hard to have a good time.

    We will be in for the evening, as usual.  This year, I have the cold from hell, and feel pretty much like death on a cracker, so not envisioning any culinary wonders emerging from my kitchen...

    So, the first thing on my wish for the New Year is good health, lol.

    I think it's going to be an even more turbulent year, politically, than 2017.  It's hard to imagine it going to another level, but I think that's what's going to happen.  The one thing we absolutely cannot do is become numb to it all, to lull ourselves into believing this is normal.

    Stay warm, friends - keep feeding the birds, don't leave your pets outside for longer than it takes to take care of business.  

    Best to everyone for the new year ahead!  Don't let cynicism and anger make you forget to be kind.

    I hope (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by Zorba on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 12:50:18 PM EST
    that you feel better soon, Anne.  Good health to you, indeed.
    The only thing that will make me feel better about 2018 (and it wouldn't happen until close to the end of the year) is if the Democrats take over one, or preferably both, Houses of Congress.
    We may get one, at least, but the Dems need to get off of their b*tts and go out and vote.
    Are all the Dems perfect?  Of course not, but we have a stark example of what happens when the Presidency and Congress are in Republican hands, and it's not pretty.  Not to mention the judges being appointed to the Federal courts- that's going to take many, many years to undo.

    Parent
    Forced fun (none / 0) (#4)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 12:32:37 PM EST
    I don't like going out for New Year's either. I did when I was younger, but even then some years were forced fun.

    Parent
    I'm waiting for (none / 0) (#14)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 03:17:50 PM EST
    my cold to arrive. I was in a jail visiting room for five hours on Wednesday with an interpreter and my client who blew through a box of tissues and had a really bad cold. Those rooms are so small, and with the door shut and no air coming in for 5 hours, I don't know how I'll avoid one.

    Any ideas?

    Parent

    We had serialism colds here Christmas weeks. (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by oculus on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 09:12:26 PM EST
    But now the nest is again empty and I seem to have missed the cold.

    Parent
    Everyone at work had it or was getting (none / 0) (#49)
    by Anne on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 10:01:34 PM EST
    it, plus with grandkids all under the age of 5, someone's always got something.  It was more or less inevitable.

    I felt something coming on right before Christmas, but I was pretending it just wasn't going to happen - I had too much to do!  As soon as I let down my guard - day after Christmas - it cranked up, and here I am.

    I now seem to be losing my voice.  Hoping for a decent night's sleep tonight (last night was cough-cough-cough), which could make a difference.

    Parent

    Zicam and chicken noodle soup. (none / 0) (#17)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 03:28:37 PM EST
    Your menu plan for chicken soup (none / 0) (#19)
    by Peter G on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 03:40:21 PM EST
    with matzoh balls is right on target, in my (highly ignorant and tradition-infected) medical opinion!

    Parent
    Take Contac or Dayquil now (none / 0) (#93)
    by Towanda on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 02:15:44 PM EST
    or the cold pill of your choice. This actually, repeatedly, has prevented or minimized colds for me. And vitamin C to the max.

    Also immediately commence the cold regimen of  and fluids.

    Parent

    Very strong ginger root tea (none / 0) (#149)
    by jondee on Sat Jan 13, 2018 at 01:36:22 PM EST
    with a little black pepper, lemon, and honey always seems to do me a world of good when I have a bad cold or a respiratory infection.

    Parent
    Happy New Year everyone (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 12:35:32 PM EST
    We ate so much over Christmas, it's leftovers tonight. And 3 bottles of Prosecco survived Christmas.

    Besides our champagne, (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by Zorba on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 01:08:11 PM EST
    We also have a leftover bottle of Prosecco from Christmas.  So if we polish off the champagne, we can crack open the Prosecco.
    Happy New Year, Tracy!  You need to get your @ss up here to visit.  I am starting to feel better than I have in awhile.

    Parent
    Yes ma'am! (5.00 / 2) (#8)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 01:25:12 PM EST
    Can we come, too? (5.00 / 3) (#9)
    by Peter G on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 02:02:26 PM EST
    Only about 75 miles north of Zorba (and of Anne, I think) if I understand the locations correctly. I would love to meet you ladies, and I think you'd all really enjoy getting to know my wife.

    Parent
    Yes, you can, Peter (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by Zorba on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 02:15:48 PM EST
    And Anne, too, as well as Tracy.
    I am thinking maybe a Spring meet-up here, when the weather is nice, and maybe we could grill outside and sit around and trade stories?  And drink beer and wine? We do have two guest rooms.  😉

    Parent
    Can I get text updates (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 03:19:18 PM EST
    with photos?

    Parent
    If I can get them (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by Zorba on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 04:03:48 PM EST
    to come up here to the "wilds" of South Mountain (we are just down the mountain from the Appalachian Trail), I will make sure that you get some photos, Jeralyn.

    Parent
    South Mountain is farther west than I realized (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by Peter G on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 04:38:21 PM EST
    More like 175 miles than 75. Nevertheless, would be a lovely occasion.

    Parent
    Josh can talk Euro pollitics with you Peter (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 04:56:51 PM EST
    From 2 private colleges thusfar he has received full tuition offers in Polish focus polisci. He has shopped himself out focusing on Polish pollitics/their economic prosperity/EU membership.

    The big universities haven't weighed in yet. But the things he knows, discusses...way over my head

    Parent

    Do you mind naming the colleges? (none / 0) (#43)
    by Peter G on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 06:05:34 PM EST
    Interested in where he's aiming. I'm afraid I can't really discuss anything intelligently other than civil liberties and criminal justice, certainly not with someone as sharp as your Josh.

    Parent
    He got a full tuition (none / 0) (#48)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 09:42:07 PM EST
    And most room and board covering from St Vincent's in Latrobe PA. And they are recruiting him hard. I have this feeling with this Pope, Josh will/could come home from St Vincent's as Catholic. And that would be fine too, his Polish grandmother would be thrilled haha.

    Mount St Mary's in MD has offered him initially $100,000 in tuition for 4 yrs and he's still in the running for additional scholarships from Mount St Mary's.

    He has also applied to Maryland's honor college which is a St Mary's too, I had Zorba all confused. Also U of Wis, U of Michigan, U of VT.

    But both St. Mary's are a feeder school for Georgetown, which today still seems to be a goal, and to a lesser degree St Vincent's gets some DC internships.

    I don't know that he has a bend yet Peter outside of this Slavic expertise he is very immersed in right now.

    He was accepted and offered full tuition at a private WV college but honestly, we haven't thought about it seriously. They were nearby and offered some polisci I think...so why he applied.

    Both of his cousins graduated from VT, he has a family attachment to VT.

    Parent

    You seem like (5.00 / 3) (#63)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 05:37:15 AM EST
    such a happier person since you moved to Maryland. I hope Josh is happier though he didn't really seem all that unhappy in Alabama though.

    Joseph is all about the big wide world out there and all the places he wants to go and see. He has the same wanderlust I had at his age. I'm glad though that he knows there is something bigger than this town and even Georgia.

    Parent

    Everyone comments on how much happier I am (none / 0) (#71)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 05:27:27 PM EST
    I can't say Josh is happier, but he has a different experience here.

    He texts his childhood friends daily, but he does so much more here. The schools go full bore until about 6:00 pm every night. People are always in motion here.

    Josh joined the theater crew and manages props, He also lifts weights 7th period even though he can only lift about 25 lbs. His lift ability has increased and he has little guns now :) And he is playing on a bocce ball team too.

    This is the baccalaureate high school in the neighborhood so most of the students excel at their studies.

    Putting Romeo and Juliet together they all had to take homework breaks but they work together, and they help each other out. There are many kids in his new high school who have parents working in different embassies. So it wasn't planned, but Josh's moving in is par for this course where half the school is from somewhere else.

    Parent

    And come back to DC to vaca again (none / 0) (#72)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 05:46:22 PM EST
    Stay for free at my house!!! We had 11 extras at Christmas. I have a king pillowtop with its own television available. We cashed it in for our old people adjustable bed. We have an always open queen too, it also has its own television. Every TV upgrade the old TV goes to a guest room. I can't have it in my sleep hygiene bedroom (what a bunch of BS).Your own bathroom. Consider it. I know Joseph loves DC. Did you get to have a burger at Hamilton's?

    We could try to stalk Lindsey Graham downtown. I wonder if the odds of find ing him = the odds of war with North Korea? 30%?

    Parent

    Thanks for the offer (5.00 / 1) (#78)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 06:01:49 AM EST
    Tracy! I don't know if we are going to be doing much traveling if any this year. We are hunkering down and I took a part time job along with running my business out of my house. So I'll have at least 2 jobs this year plus who knows what else.

    Parent
    Sounds like Josh has good options (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by Peter G on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 10:18:04 PM EST
    I hope he enjoys backstage theater as much as our oldest daughter did. She made lighting the basis of a theater major in college, went on to earn her MFA, and is now a professional theater lighting designer, based in New York but working throughout the country. You never know what sort of passion your kids will find, if you and they are lucky.

    Parent
    Is she lighting any shows now? (none / 0) (#118)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 04, 2018 at 05:36:53 PM EST
    NY.   LA.  San Diego?

    Parent
    I think her next few shows are (none / 0) (#123)
    by Peter G on Thu Jan 04, 2018 at 08:00:10 PM EST
    in New York. She's mostly in the off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway world, when in NYC. Well-regarded regional theaters, when out of town.

    Parent
    I'd enjoy seeing her work. (none / 0) (#129)
    by oculus on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 06:52:00 AM EST
    Please ask Jeralyn to email me privately (none / 0) (#137)
    by Peter G on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 11:03:12 AM EST
    with your direct contact info, Oc (name & email), and I will give you more information. Thanks for your interest in my daughter's work!

    Parent
    Thank you. I'll (none / 0) (#145)
    by oculus on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 06:09:05 PM EST
    be in Ny Jan. 19-Feb. 7. Brrrrr.

    Parent
    I hope that you have researched (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by Towanda on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 02:23:02 PM EST
    Mount St. Mary's, as it has been a mess, with a terrible president ousted (search terms: compare students to drowning bunnies!) and, worse, accreditation woes.  

    Mainstream media are not best sources on campuses, as they cover higher ed horribly. Better sources are our "trade paper," the Chronicle of Higher Ed, and Inside Higher Ed, both online.

    Parent

    Thank you for the heads up Towanda (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 09:26:19 PM EST
    We were headed there mid month. They have testing for additional scholarships then, and we were going to tour the campus.

    You know what we were keying in on? A few other kids in the neighborhood are hoping to attend Mt St Mary's. Oops! Not really much of a measure unless I think Trump gets good results.

    Parent

    Tracy, Towanda (5.00 / 1) (#101)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jan 03, 2018 at 11:10:31 AM EST
    offers good advice.  Ask about the accreditation status...in some detail.  Accredited, but any issues, what is the term of accreditation (Middle States Commission on Higher Education is the accrediting body for the area).  And, ask about any specialized accrediting in the academic area of interest, e.g., teacher education programs.  

    Parent
    Thank you KeysDan (none / 0) (#107)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jan 03, 2018 at 12:37:05 PM EST
    Know nothing about Mount St. Marys (none / 0) (#102)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Jan 03, 2018 at 11:29:21 AM EST
    but the campus looks picturesque from US 15 as I drive by.

    Parent
    Something many seem to agree with you about (none / 0) (#106)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jan 03, 2018 at 12:36:44 PM EST
    Lots of praise about the beauty of the campus.

    Parent
    Tracy, I know nothing (5.00 / 1) (#111)
    by KeysDan on Wed Jan 03, 2018 at 05:13:12 PM EST
    about Mount St. Mary's, but, as a general comment, many (but not necessarily, just) private schools devote a substantial amount of the budget to physical facilities, especially, "curb appeal"  Impressions are great, particularly, first ones, and for parents.

      Try, too, to ascertain basic academics, and student services available.  ADA provisions should be above and beyond the minimum.  The environment for learning is often student-specific, so Josh will be in a good position to assess his comfort level at the campus.  If you can talk with students and faculty that will be a big plus in decision-making.

    Parent

    Spouse says he's coming too (5.00 / 2) (#38)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 05:17:23 PM EST
    Yes, let's do it (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 04:52:57 PM EST
    If we could do it after next Sunday it would be divine.

    My cousin-in-law who lived too far away before to get to know until we moved here, does some amazing extra colored hair. She Is going to streak my hair heavily dark blue. I'm going to be a different sort of blue haired lady.

    But when facing X number of years of Trump I would love to have some blue hair photos with my liberal buddies!!!

    Really hoping to owe CaptainHowdy some preemo weed (if they even still call it that). Maybe it's dank weed? (I dunno...that's so Martha Stewart)

    Parent

    No posting or publishing of photos (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by Peter G on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 06:01:11 PM EST
    without signed releases from one and all! Private sharing is something else.

    Parent
    of course any sent to me would (none / 0) (#59)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 12:56:56 AM EST
    be private, I wouldn't even think of posting them. I don't even post emails without asking first.

    Parent
    Was just kidding (none / 0) (#67)
    by Peter G on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 04:01:35 PM EST
    I realize that's what you would/wouldn't do.

    Parent
    Big plans. (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 02:07:43 PM EST
    After a meal of steamed shrimp, wife and I will most likely be inspecting the inside of our eyelids come midnight. Will greet 2018 tomorrow with hopping john and steamed tamales.

    Ah, yes. Hopping John. (none / 0) (#12)
    by Peter G on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 02:52:17 PM EST
    Also a New Year tradition, from my wife's Kentucky people. We are also going to try a Pennsylvania Dutch New Year dish this year, which we read about in the paper -- ham (leftover from Christmas) with sauerkraut.

    Parent
    New Years Day (none / 0) (#25)
    by Zorba on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 04:27:05 PM EST
    Also, St. Basil's Day, usually involves pork in traditional Greek households.
    I don't know what it is about pork, ham, etc, in so many cultures on New Years Day.
    On the other hand, we like pork a lot, so it's not a problem.

    I also have to say, to let the non-Orthodox Christians know, January 1 is also the Feast Day of the Circumcision of Jesus Christ.  I mean, he was Jewish, and he would have been circumcised on the eighth day.  Don't even ask me what is supposed to have happened to the Holy Prepuce (foreskin).  I don't even want to think about it.

    Parent

    New Year's Eve (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by Repack Rider on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 02:52:50 PM EST
    ...was always a payday when I was a roadie.

    I worked a few of Bill Graham's all-night shows at Winterland, featuring Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead, and Quicksilver Messenger Service.

    After one of those nights I left the auditorium at 6:00 a.m., and the truck didn't start.  Had to hitchhike home at 7:00 on New Year's Day.  Not a lot of traffic at that time, but I finally caught a ride with a woman I knew who had worked for Bill Graham at the auditorium all night.

    On another of those evenings, The Sons of Champlin, the act I worked for, were done and I was ready to party, but the Grateful Dead entourage was so overwhelming that the security guy wouldn't let me backstage, because it was already over fire marshal capacity.

    Heck with it, I just went home and flipped on the live FM broadcast of the gig I had left half an hour before.  In the time since, a stoner had crawled out on one of the steel rafters over the crowd, and the show had ground to a halt.

    But I was already home by 11:00 and very comfortable.

    I no longer get paid to leave the house on NYE, so I don't.

    were you alway in SF or did (none / 0) (#18)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 03:31:49 PM EST
    you also do the Fillmore East? I loved going to shows there. And Quicksilver. No one hardly mentions them any more, but I still have them on my Ipod. "Who Do You Love?" "What About Me?", "Fresh Air", great music.

    Parent
    Worked the Fillmore East (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by Repack Rider on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 04:23:27 PM EST
    ...on 19 and 20 December, 1969, last date of two months on the road.  Opened for The Byrds and The Nice (later called Emerson Lake and Palmer).

    After the show the other roadie and I packed up and drove home, coast to coast, in 63 hours.

    Quicksilver Messenger Service was booked by the same agency ("West Pole") that booked The Sons, as well as two other groups, Ace of Cups (five women) and Freedom Highway.  The Ace of Cups opened the infamous Rolling Stones show at Altamont, and I'm sure I would have been there if we hadn't been conveniently on the road and thousands of miles away.

    Just saw a mention of the Ace of Cups and The Sons in Levon Helm's book (Wheels on Fire), because we opened the show when The Band made their first public performance after the release of Music from Big Pink.

    The West Pole bands worked a lot of the same shows together.  The Quicksilver practiced right next to our unit, so we were all friends. I didn't care much for Dino Valenti (real name Chester Powers), who was not an original member but kind of took over the band.

    Dino, BTW, is famous for writing and then selling for a few hundred dollars the hippie anthem "Get Together." A lot of bands recorded it, but the one by The Youngbloods is the version you hear.

    I saw the Youngbloods on my 21st birthday at the Avalon Ballroom, where my friends The Sons opened for them and Steppenwolf, then called The Sparrow. I was on leave from the Army at the time.

    Decades later I became friends with Lowell Levinger, one of the Youngbloods, whose stage name is "Banana."  I moved his pianos for him when I was in that game.

    Cippolina's trademark was the burning cigarette stuck on the end of a guitar string. He died of emphysema.

    Here's Quicksilver's set from the gig I hitchhiked home from.

    Parent

    I saw several great shows (none / 0) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 04:43:58 PM EST
    At the Fillmore east.  Then from roughly 80 to 90 visas there just about every Sat nite (sun morning really) after it became the greatest gay club in the world.  THE SAINT

    my partner for the 80s and I were members.

    Now THOSE were new years parties

    Parent

    That wiki page (none / 0) (#31)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 04:47:07 PM EST
    Says it closed in 88 which it officially did but there continued to be parties including new years parties for a few years after.  A couple even after dome was removed.

    Parent
    I saw Quicksilver Messenger Service (none / 0) (#20)
    by Peter G on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 03:43:39 PM EST
    at the Fillmore East also. Down in the East Village. I wonder if we were at the same show?

    Parent
    Yes please!!! (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 04:41:05 PM EST
    Another TL meet up

    Parent
    Quicksilver, (none / 0) (#21)
    by leap on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 03:55:14 PM EST
    From a brain infection... (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 03:26:51 PM EST
    that could of killed me to a stomach ailment that made me wish it had, 2017 couldn't have been much worse. Add in the sh!tshow that is tRump's America and I can't wait to see it done.

    Somehow, I need to find a way in '18 to work three more months so I can retire with health insurance.  That is my hope for 2018 - hopefully that's not too much to ask.

    Here's wishing all of the TL family a joyous, peaceful, prosperous, and very healthy New Year!!!

    Oh, I am so sorry, (5.00 / 3) (#23)
    by Zorba on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 04:08:39 PM EST
    MileHi!
    May you be well in 2018!
    I will be sending thoughts and prayers your way, my brother.
    Namaste.

    Parent
    I'm sorry (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 04:39:58 PM EST
    to hear of your illness. Seems like 2017 was the worst year for you of everybody.

    Parent
    And the same to you (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 05:02:38 PM EST
    18 is going to be the reward for 17

    Parent
    Happy New Year to all.. (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by desertswine on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 07:58:50 PM EST
    Good health and good luck!

    Parent
    Wow MileHi (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 10:31:01 PM EST
    Peace and prosperity to you and yours!

    Thank you for reminding me as I begin 2018; what is important?

    Parent

    I love New Year's Eve. (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 04:44:40 PM EST
    I really do. I used to have parties every year with lots of people. It is fun for me because you only have to worry about finger foods. Unfortunately I have not had a party in quite a while since I haven't felt up to it.

    No traditional NYE dinner in my family. We have been out of town for two weekends in a row and we're just having whatever anybody can find to eat for dinner tonight. I will probably be asleep before midnight hits.

    We do have a traditional New Year's day meal though with black eyed peas and hamhocks, collards and corn bread but this year I think I'm going to do hoecake instead. I did hopping john last year and since 2017 didn't turn out so well I'm going back to just plain black eyed peas.

    As a southerner (5.00 / 2) (#33)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 04:54:09 PM EST
    you know the black eye peas are the important part of new year's day.

    Parent
    Made some today (none / 0) (#35)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 05:01:17 PM EST
    How do you do yours? (none / 0) (#37)
    by Ga6thDem on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 05:13:47 PM EST
    Anything special? We put the hamhocks in our black eyed peas.

    Parent
    Usually with ham (none / 0) (#39)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 05:23:06 PM EST
    That was today's version.  Still had ham from Xmas.

    Parent
    I just made a big pot of black bean soup. (none / 0) (#69)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 05:11:52 PM EST
    My mother saved the bone from their Christmas ham, and they still had some ham scraps left over, so all that went into the pot. That soup is otherwise sort of bland without the ham to give it flavor.

    It's once again absolutely gorgeous outside in Pasadena. Everyone's over here this afternoon to watch the Rose Bowl game on TV, so my mother made her broccoli salad which everyone loves, and I bought boneless chicken breasts, red bell and Anaheim peppers, and bok choy, which are all going on Mom's grill in about an hour. It's been a very pleasant day.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Zero degrees outside (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by Lora on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 05:43:35 PM EST
    I'm staying in and snuggling with cats and fuzzy blankets, having a warming drink or two that may contain one of more of the following: coffee, vodka, brandy, Kahlua, Amaretto, half & half ... and watching my favorite New Year's Eve movie, New Year's Eve.

    Just barely survived the bone-chilling evening (none / 0) (#42)
    by Peter G on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 06:02:47 PM EST
    walk with our dog. But what a gorgeous full moon tonight.

    Parent
    Out shopping (5.00 / 4) (#44)
    by Repack Rider on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 06:21:35 PM EST
    ...and I run into a friend in the market, who tells me he loved my LTE a couple of weeks ago.  I send them all the time, didn't even realize it had run.

    Here is the text.

    GOP is `working the refs' by attacking Mueller

    The outcry against special counsel Robert Mueller as being "biased" is a hysterical attempt to "work the refs."

    Surely every American citizen is aware that we have a branch of government that we call "courts." In these "courts," "evidence" and "testimony" are presented. These must meet specific legal standards that eliminate most aspects of bias.

    Anyone who is accused is permitted to hire the most biased individuals he or she can find, someone who can then show the court where the prosecutor's "bias" has affected the evidence. It should be obvious that the person you want investigating a subject is not a friend of the accused or has any reason not to be diligent.

    Bias on the part of the investigator works in the public interest.

    Republican members of Congress are complaining that an investigation of the White House is being carried out by people who do not like the president. These are the same people who investigated Hillary Clinton nine times over five years, opening a new investigation after each acquittal.

    These people were openly hostile to Ms. Clinton, clearly "biased" against her, and Democrats did not demand resignations.

    If the GOP felt that nine investigations of Ms. Clinton over five years, conducted by her political enemies, and 11 hours of sworn testimony on live TV were what it took to exonerate her, why don't they want to extend the same courtesy to President Trump?

    Surely, those who have nothing to hide, welcome the scrutiny.

    [Repack Rider]



    Well down (5.00 / 1) (#77)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 05:59:47 AM EST
    here in GA everybody is rocking to the tune of Bulldawg Nation! So I'm happy for the UGA fans and sad for my Clemson fan friends. Anyway I hope GA beats Bama!

    Is the (5.00 / 1) (#79)
    by FlJoe on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 08:32:53 AM EST
    NYT suffering from dementia?  Last weeks bombshell report How the Russia Inquiry Began: A Campaign Aide, Drinks and Talk of Political Dirt which seemingly contradicts their story from a year ago Intercepted Russian Communications Part of Inquiry Into Trump Associates at least they come to the same conclusion
    The decision to open the investigations was not based on a dossier of salacious, uncorroborated allegations that were compiled by a former British spy working for a Washington research firm.
    In the earlier article they reference reports by McClatchy and other outlets that have the investigation starting months sooner
    The informal, inter-agency working group began to explore possible Russian interference last spring, long before the FBI received information from a former British spy hired to develop politically damaging and unverified research about Trump
    with Papadopoulos nowhere to be seen.

    WTF is wrong with these so called jouranalists?

    Catching this today too (none / 0) (#80)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 11:46:03 AM EST
    A big push to get rid of the editor seems to be building. Will the NYT remain the newspaper of record?

    Parent
    ...dossier of salacious, (none / 0) (#86)
    by KeysDan on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 12:57:19 PM EST
    uncorroborated allegations that were compiled by a former British spy...

    The media coverage of that part of the dossier has always seemed curious to me.  As with any allegation it is a claim without proof, or several claiming without proof; and using "salacious" seems to downgrade even the allegation, in that salacious suggests undue or inappropriate interest in the allegation, with or without corroboration.
    Rather, the allegations of happenings in the Moscow Ritz Carlton, were a part of the reporting on Trump and his potential "Kompromat."  

    Forgetting for a moment the larger issue of the Trump campaign, or Trump himself, working with a hostile government to tilt the election in his favor, and now being a controlled asset by said hostile government, the dossier's reported allegation of actions that compromise should not be characterized as undue or prurient interest in Trump's behaviors.   It is a part of the question of links and cooperation with the Russian government and the consequential national security risks to the nation.

    Some allegations will, of course, be more difficult than others to corroborate, but investigative capabilities exist, as with other allegations..that have already been corroborated.

    Parent

    And (5.00 / 2) (#100)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jan 03, 2018 at 09:09:35 AM EST
    the worm turns
    Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon called the 2016 Trump Tower meeting between Trump campaign officials and a Russian lawyer purportedly offering damaging information about Hillary Clinton "treasonous," according to a new book obtained by The Guardian.
    Well Stevie, if you are such a fking patriot why don't you get on the horn to Mueller and tell him everything you know.

    Seems hard to believe (none / 0) (#103)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 03, 2018 at 11:34:14 AM EST
    He has not already done that.

    No?

    Parent

    I'm (none / 0) (#104)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jan 03, 2018 at 11:59:46 AM EST
    starting to wonder about that myself. The Self professed lord of Chaos would gladly provoke a constitutional crisis.

    Parent
    This (5.00 / 1) (#105)
    by FlJoe on Wed Jan 03, 2018 at 12:19:03 PM EST
    will be fun to watch
    President Donald Trump distanced himself from his former chief strategist Steve Bannon on Wednesday, contending that "he not only lost his job" but "he lost his mind" when he left the White House.


    Parent
    So...... (5.00 / 1) (#110)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Jan 03, 2018 at 04:17:32 PM EST
    I'm guessin the question of "is Trump better off with Bannon inside or outside" is settled.

    Parent
    So, what's the over/under on when (5.00 / 1) (#112)
    by Anne on Wed Jan 03, 2018 at 10:34:32 PM EST
    they start to refer to Bannon as "coffee boy?"

    Or maybe, "West Wing Coffee Boy?"

    Parent

    As is almost always the case (none / 0) (#124)
    by Peter G on Thu Jan 04, 2018 at 08:04:27 PM EST
    Tr*mp resorts instinctively to insults that reflect projection of his subconscious awareness of his own serious flaws. Said the amateur psychologist.

    Parent
    This is jucier (none / 0) (#113)
    by Repack Rider on Thu Jan 04, 2018 at 04:14:58 AM EST
    ...than a five dollar peach.

    The enemy of my enemy is also my enemy.  I can't lose no matter how ugly it gets.

    And it's gonna.  The first Kardashian president.

    Bannon knows where all the hot buttons are, and he's pushing them with a cattle prod.

    The Huckster is gonna have her work cut out for her.  You think you heard some 'splainin' before? For her, this is going to be like climbing the Mount Everest of 'splainin'.

    Parent

    "I'll just slap him around a little." (5.00 / 1) (#109)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jan 03, 2018 at 02:04:46 PM EST
    Actor Paul Sorvino is definitely not happy with Harvey Weinstein over revelations that the producer had Sorvino's Oscar-winning daughter Mira blacklisted by Hollywood studios, after she had spurned his sexual advances.

    I have always like the Sorvinos (none / 0) (#125)
    by Peter G on Thu Jan 04, 2018 at 08:13:40 PM EST
    They moved in across the street from my parents around the time I left home for college. Mira was a kid then. And soon a family named Davis moved in next door to my parents, with their young daughter -- future screen actress Hope Davis, who became Mira's friend. I can certainly understand how Paul feels, and sympathize with his anger.

    Parent
    The "bomb cyclone" (5.00 / 1) (#132)
    by CST on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 08:15:08 AM EST
    Which has got to be the most obvious grab for weather headlines I've seen yet - has come and gone.  Luckily I was able to get my car to a shop before the snow came.  Yesterday, Fox News (I know I know, I can't help myself) had a headline saying that there was "panic in Boston", and as evidence of this panic, they interviewed a tourist from California who had never seen so much snow before.  We got a foot of snow in a blizzard.  I'd say that's pretty much par for the course.  Yes, the tides were astronomically high and the relentless cold weather is a problem for houses, but I still didn't see anyone panicking...

    Also there was an article today in the Globe with the headline "Why do I still live here?", which is also par for the course for a winter article.  My favorite response - "you walk around in Boston on the first 40-degree day and it feels like spring here, and everybody's happy. No one appreciates a 40-degree day like Boston does"

    My off spring says, good cardio workout. (none / 0) (#135)
    by oculus on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 10:23:19 AM EST
    Groundhog Day (none / 0) (#51)
    by MKS on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 10:36:26 PM EST
    Re-living the worst day in your life.

    My step mom since I was 10 died in October. My Dad has memory issues.  So, he has trouble remembering she died.  I gave the main eulogy and looked at my dad almost the whole time. Days later, he did not remember.

    And, so I had to tell him again.  I just hated doing it.  I told my brother I was not going to go through that again.  But, he said, we should not b.s. him and give it some more time.  Maybe it was more denial instead of memory issues.

    In December, my brother stopped responding to my texts.  It really ticked me off.  And then I thought maybe he met some wild woman and ran away to Mexico.  On December 20, I went by his place.  He had died of a stroke days before.

    And, I have had to tell my Dad more than once that he is gone. It breaks his heart all over again.  

    Good riddance to 2017.      

    MKS (5.00 / 5) (#53)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 10:40:10 PM EST
    I'm sorry

    I had no idea

    Parent

    Oh, MKS, I am so sorry for your losses. (none / 0) (#54)
    by Anne on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 11:28:22 PM EST
    I can't imagine how hard it must be to have to tell your dad over and over.  Fresh grief for both of you.

    Here's hoping for some relief in the new year.

    Parent

    A torrid affair (5.00 / 2) (#58)
    by MKS on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 12:14:42 AM EST
    with a wild woman on a trip to Mexico would be nice.

    Parent
    I know how it feels (none / 0) (#70)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 05:14:17 PM EST
    My sister has had significant memory loss and often asks were is (fill in the blank) who is gone.  Our parents most often.

    Try to focus on the fact you still have him to remind.  That's how I deal with it.  While memory loss can be painful and difficult to deal with I think it sometimes spares them from some of the most painful memories.  True you remind them and there is a moment of pain and it's gone again.

    Happy New year anyway

    Parent

    MKS, so sorry to hear (none / 0) (#55)
    by caseyOR on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 11:53:29 PM EST
    about this. So much loss. And to have to relive it with your dad.

    Surely 2018 will be a better year for you.

    Parent

    how awful (none / 0) (#56)
    by leap on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 11:57:55 PM EST
    I'm so sorry you are going through such heartbreaking scenarios, over and over.. I can't imagine how painful that is. Be gone, 2017, you crappy earthly revolution. Luckily we won't ever be seeing you again.

    Parent
    My deepest condolences on your recent losses. (none / 0) (#61)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 04:27:36 AM EST
    What a horrid way to end 2017. I hope things will get better for you and your Dad this new year.

    Parent
    So sorry! (none / 0) (#62)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 05:29:49 AM EST
    On top of everything else that has been going on you have had to deal with a ton of family issues. I can't imagine.

    I don't know if this applies in your case with your father but a friend of mine told me that her mother's doctor just said to humor her mother with memory issues and tell her things like her deceased husband was on a business trip when her mother asked about him. The doctor also told my friend that the truth was too stressful for her mother and that she wouldn't remember in two hours anyway.

    Parent

    I am so (none / 0) (#65)
    by Zorba on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 02:26:13 PM EST
    very, very sorry.  I sincerely hope that 2018 is a better year.

    Parent
    MKS, adding my condolences (none / 0) (#66)
    by Jeralyn on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 02:36:23 PM EST
    This is just about the saddest comment I've read on TalkLeft. How old was your brother? I'm so sorry for your loss and for what's ahead with your dad. Stay strong.

    Parent
    He was 54 (5.00 / 4) (#74)
    by MKS on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 07:39:53 PM EST
    Thank you for your comment.

    I hesitated writing about this, but I have spent so much time here.  

    Parent

    Thank you for letting us know (none / 0) (#75)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 08:47:16 PM EST
    Things are rough right now. You deserve all the support available.

    Parent
    I am glad that you shared with us (none / 0) (#95)
    by Towanda on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 02:33:44 PM EST
    and also put into perspective my worries and woes.

    I still have all of my siblings, all younger but for one brother -- but we had a shocker this year, when he had a heart attack and had to have two stents.  

    I had a colon cancer scare, and much worsening of post-polio syndrome problems, but still . . . a sibling's heart surgery was a heart stopper.

    At least my parents did not have to see this -- and we also did not have to see them in demntia, as they did not last that long.

    But to have to repeatedly remind a parents of such losses is just awful, and so your task is to not let it affect your health, too. Please take care of yourself.

    Parent

    Donald Trump be suckin the life out of us (none / 0) (#52)
    by Militarytracy on Sun Dec 31, 2017 at 10:37:52 PM EST
    But CNN is rolling in the deep.

    We've got some gender fluidity out of Key West, and I don't care what you say that CNN anchor in Colorado is STONED! She has been a token solo female anchor.

    What is going on round here?

    CNN tonight is the CNN (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by caseyOR on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 12:04:33 AM EST
    I wish we saw everyday. Don Lemon and Brooke in New Orleans were great. And, yes, that anchor in Colorado must be stoned.

    And two gay guys anchoring the whole thing. Trump must hate this.

    Parent

    I'm glad I'm not the only one (none / 0) (#73)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 05:51:44 PM EST
    Who thought so

    Maybe I'm just paranoid :)

    Parent

    Happy New Year to all from Pasadena, CA. (none / 0) (#60)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 04:19:18 AM EST
    We rang it in tonight with my brother's family and their friends at the corner of Sierra Madre Blvd. and Orange Grove Ave., where their kids are camped out to reserve a spot for tomorrow morning's Tournament of Roses Parade. We're near the end of the parade route, which terminates at Victory Park in east Pasadena.

    The weather's been gorgeous if unseasonably warm for this time of year (86 degrees on Saturday), but it's expected to cool off considerably later in the week and will probably be raining by Thursday. (That's good, because they need it.) We're driving down to San Diego on Tuesday to visit my brother-in-law and his wife. Then it's back to Hilo on Saturday night.

    Enjoy the day, everyone.

    With the wind chill it is a decidedly (none / 0) (#64)
    by caseyOR on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 12:17:51 PM EST
    bitter minus 15 here in my part of The Land O' Lincoln. This horrific cold has been going on for days, and we can expect at least another week of it before temps hit the 20s.

    Parent
    Your neighbors to the north (none / 0) (#96)
    by Towanda on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 02:37:39 PM EST
    of Illinois also are mightily weary of this stre ch of subzero nights and even days.  It's not just the weather outside but also the worries about its effects inside this old house, as we have to keep checking for the furnace to stop, the pipes to freeze, the cilings to fall. . . .  Oh, to be soar to twenty degrees again.

    Parent
    FINAL: Central Florida 34, Auburn 27. (none / 0) (#68)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Jan 01, 2018 at 04:05:26 PM EST
    The No. 12 Golden Knights run the table by knocking off No. 7 Auburn to finish the season unbeaten at 13-0.

    A few weeks ago, the favored Tigers were all the rage in Sports Punditland after two dominant wins at home, first against then-No. 1 Georgia and then against the new No. 1 team, Alabama.

    While Auburn's national championship aspirations were quashed after the Tigers' pratfall in the SEC championship rematch against Georgia, there's no denying that the SEC West champs were the real deal.

    But the Tigers certainly met their match today at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta against a vastly underrated UCF team, who sought to silence the naysayers -- I'm talking about you, Kirk Herbstreit and Stephen A. Smith at ESPN -- and prove to everyone today that they belonged in the discussion.

    The Knights did just that. After a less than stellar first half, UCF QB McKenzie Milton -- who's from Mililani, HI -- settled down and took control of the game. Meanwhile, the Knights' defense effectively held Auburn's high-powered offense in check, delivering the knockout blows with two key fourth quarter interceptions.

    Congratulations to the Central Florida Golden Knights.

    So (none / 0) (#81)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 12:25:43 PM EST
    It's to cold to go outside.  I have not been outside the house in 8 days.

    Thank god for binging.  Seriously what did we do for arctic cold invasions.

    AMC is doing a marathon of Breaking Bad.  Sure, it's on NETFLIX but the DVR is just so easy.  I just watched the pilot.  Fu@k.  I'm stuck.  I will now do the whole damn thing.

    PS
    just watched the new King Arthur movie.  I will probably have a rant about that.

    I had to go outside today (none / 0) (#82)
    by CST on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 12:34:47 PM EST
    To go to work.  It's beyond cold, 2 degrees this morning.  Luckily I own a full layer of thermal ski gear which I put on underneath my work clothes.  I got in a car accident this morning which was 100% my fault and probably totaled my car.  I haven't been able to get through to AAA in the last 5 hours of trying.

    Happy 2018!

    Parent

    Oh no CST (5.00 / 2) (#85)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 12:46:21 PM EST
    Very sorry :(

    Parent
    Thanks (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by CST on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 12:59:32 PM EST
    Luckily it was only about 1/2 a mile from my office, and no one was injured.  I'm indoors now and my car was towed to my work lot by the state police.  I just need to figure out how to get home tonight and my car to a shop - which is why I'm trying AAA.

    But seriously on their part it's a massive fail.  I've been calling them for hours and can't get through, their website isn't functioning for service requests either.  Imagine being the poor slob on the side of the road with a dead battery in this weather.

    Not the best way to start the year.

    Parent

    Oh no, CST! What a crappy way (none / 0) (#91)
    by caseyOR on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 01:35:15 PM EST
    to start the week much less the year. Thankfully, no one was injured.

    As to AAA, this morning a friend went out to start her car to go to work (we have been in the below zero temperature range for days here) and the car would not start. She started calling AAA around 8:30 am. Still calling them at 1:45 pm CST. And we are in a small city in central Illinois. Nothing like the size of Boston.

    How could AAA not be prepared for this kind of weather and its attendant car troubles? Don't most of us have AAA memberships for just these kinds of situations?

    Hope yu find a safe and warm way home.

    Parent

    We have our own jumper battery (none / 0) (#97)
    by Towanda on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 02:44:13 PM EST
    plugged in and charged at all times. Living in a student neighborhood, we witness too many dead batteries and kids who not have jumper cables -- or who do not know how tomuse them safely.  And as profs, so as foremly broke students ourselves, we know how just the cost of getting a car jumped, or ticketed and towed, can cause our students to go hungry.

    Of course, since we got it years ago, we have not needed it for our own cars. But then, unlike too many students, we have learned the hard way to maintain our automobiles to endure our brutal winters.

    Parent

    I actually lied (none / 0) (#83)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 12:44:42 PM EST
    I went out this morning to Wal-Mart

    I wanted to get a space heater for my basement.

    Wal fu@king Mart (2 super stores) is sold out of space heaters.  I had to go to the local hardware and pay twice as much.

    Parent

    Yikes! What a way to start the New Year. (none / 0) (#89)
    by Anne on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 01:16:09 PM EST
    Glad you are okay, and that you were so close to your office - this weather is really dangerous to have to be out in for more than a few minutes.

    And I guess you are bracing for a blizzard, if what I am reading is reliable.  Looks like it will just kiss our area with maybe some light snow showers, but it never fails to amaze me the problems a dusting of snow can cause on the roads.

    Good luck with the car stuff, and with holding your temper when you do finally get through to AAA!

    Parent

    I had to run to the subway today (none / 0) (#84)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 12:45:15 PM EST
    That's the only reason I went out. Our landlord brought over two heaters that keep a hole open in the two koi ponds. Before that I was running outside to pour hot water on the ice to keep a hole open. Both ponds have little waterfalls that are now completely frozen over. They were keeping a little hole open in the ice for a few days.

    The koi are hibernating though. They started about six weeks ago. Stopped swimming near the surface, stopped eating as much. Then they dove deep and just disappeared.

    So much ice causes me to worry about them. They are probably just fine though.

    We watched King Arthur last night. Puzzled why it got such terrible reviews. It wasn't great other than all that eye candy, but it wasn't poison either. We watched the directors cut of Alien right after and boy there were some terrible scene transitions in there that long ago weren't as noticeable to me.

    Parent

    Oh my god (5.00 / 1) (#88)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 01:11:20 PM EST
    I was going to make lunch first but ya got me.

    Ok KING ARTHUR and THE LEGEND OF THE SWORD.

    I agree it was pretty good.  In fact I just watched it for the second and time.  There are things I absolutely loved about it.  Maybe more on that later.  But HERES THE QUESTION
    what the FU@K did it have to do with ARTHUR?

    Ok

    Here's the thing, there are 2 kinds of people.  Those obsessed with the Arthur legend and those who are not.  This movie blew off both.  That's why it flopped.  It's so frustrating.  I swear to god if they had screened this movie for me before the release I could have told them it would bomb.  

    There was not enough of a story for the non Arthur people and it lost the Arthur people because it had absolutely nothing to do with the LEGEND OF ARTHUR.  Seriously.  It had two things related.   There was a guy named Arthur and an sword.  In a stone.  Sort of.  Without spoilers.

    Look, there is a reason the Arthurian legend is one of the most well known and well loved stories in western literature.

    It's fu@king awsum.  A movie, or better yet a series of movies on this story would be HUGE.

    This was not that.  Like I said, there was a guy named Arthur.  And a bunch of random popcorn movie crap like giant elephants that was ..... well it was wonderful.  I loved but that's my job and my friends doing it.   But WTF??
    Seriously, the movie would have done better if it had just taken that shite and made an original story.  It was great.  It was awsum.  It was impressive craft.  It was NOT King Arthur.

    I will admit to being obsessed.  I have probably read more about Arthur than any other subject.  But clearly I am not alone.

    It was a painful thing for me to watch in a way.  Such beautiful work.  But a weird thing happens to effects people some times that drives me crazy.  

    If the movie is not "successful" you get far less credit for your work.  Fu@king nuts, right?  But a fact.

    So much great work.  Great director and direction.  Beautifully shot.  Jaw dropping effects.  And a huge flop.

    Rant over.


    Parent

    Especially want to call out (none / 0) (#90)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 01:25:18 PM EST
    The mermaid/witches.  One of the coolest things I have ever seen.  I know some of those who did that.

    Parent
    Yeah, they were very cool (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 01:37:45 PM EST
    We saw "Darkest Hour" the other night. (none / 0) (#108)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Jan 03, 2018 at 01:48:30 PM EST
    Gary Oldman absolutely inhabited his role as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the early days of the Second World War, and his amazing performance serves to greatly elevate what would otherwise be a rather perfunctory period piece that one might see on PBS's Masterpiece Theater.

    I can see now why they're talking about Oldman's (pending) Oscar nomination for Best Actor as all but a foregone conclusion. In many respects, it reminded me of Meryl Streep's marvelous turn as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, which similarly elevated "The Iron Lady." Both actors dominate the screen.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Can't wait to see it (none / 0) (#114)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Jan 04, 2018 at 01:02:11 PM EST
    Oldman is nominated (none / 0) (#144)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 05:42:55 PM EST
    For a globe on Sunday.

    Gonna go out on a limb, he wins.

    Parent

    I told you so. (none / 0) (#99)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Jan 02, 2018 at 09:30:10 PM EST
    Michelle Bachmann considering a run for Franken's senate seat. She's waiting on the ok from her invisible friend in the sky.

    GOLDEN GLOBES (none / 0) (#115)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 04, 2018 at 04:01:51 PM EST
    is sunday

    Interesting list.

    THE SHAPE OF WATER has many nominations.  I hope it wins some.

    One odd thing.  GET OUT is nominated in the comedy category.  I think it's odd because I would not call it a comedy but I'm glad because I think it might raise its chances of winning which it absolutely deserves to do.

    Just to make the point (none / 0) (#116)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 04, 2018 at 05:09:35 PM EST
    If you have not seen GET OUT

    watch the trailer and tell me how many LOLs you would expect from this movie

    Seriously.  Odd.  Not a comedy OR a musical but nominated for several awards in that category.

    Parent

    Remember Blast From the Past? (none / 0) (#117)
    by oculus on Thu Jan 04, 2018 at 05:33:49 PM EST
    To me, the trailer was very amusing.  The movie--not so much.  Except I just read the quotes on IMDb.   Really funny. Hmmmm.  And BTW what is Brendan Fraser doing these days?

    Parent
    Well it was funny (none / 0) (#119)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 04, 2018 at 05:46:14 PM EST
    Stephen King books almost always laugh out loud funny.   You don't look for them in the comedy section.

    I guess I get the idea.  That is the film makers might have thought if they called a movie about rich white people stealing the lives and bodies of black people, because of their "physical superiority" a comedy.....well, let's just say that might be easier than making a horror movie on that subject.

    I just think it's odd.  It's an r rated horror movie.  With funny lines.  

    Parent

    I just did a bit of research (none / 0) (#120)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 04, 2018 at 05:59:18 PM EST
    IMDB lists "categories" so I checked a couple of actual Comedy Horror movies.

    SLITHER and TREMORS.

    both are listed as Comedy Horror.  In that order.

    GET OUT is listed as Horror Mystery Thriller.

    So....

    It ain't just me.  It's odd.

    Parent

    "Research" (none / 0) (#121)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 04, 2018 at 07:24:44 PM EST
    Should have been in quotes

    Parent
    Am I the only one (none / 0) (#122)
    by CaptHowdy on Thu Jan 04, 2018 at 07:36:16 PM EST
    Who had no idea Scalp Reduction Surgery was a thing?

    Nope (none / 0) (#126)
    by Peter G on Thu Jan 04, 2018 at 08:17:27 PM EST
    You are not.

    Parent
    You definitely are not (none / 0) (#127)
    by caseyOR on Thu Jan 04, 2018 at 08:39:25 PM EST
    the only one. It was news to me.

    Parent
    It was a little like finding out (none / 0) (#128)
    by Anne on Thu Jan 04, 2018 at 08:44:42 PM EST
    that he makes use of leeches for whatever ails him.

    Parent
    Now, about the (none / 0) (#130)
    by oculus on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 06:54:32 AM EST
    whitening of male body parts.  

    Parent
    I'm sorry - what? (none / 0) (#131)
    by Anne on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 07:09:29 AM EST
    Yep, body parts whitening for men (none / 0) (#133)
    by fishcamp on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 08:31:11 AM EST
    is a big deal in Thailand.  It's actually been going on for a long time since I heard about it over there fifteen years ago.  It costs about $650 I just read.

     I'm overly white this year with the cold weather making it impossible to get out on the water in the sun.  It actually snowed somewhere in Florida this morning.  I'm trying to read War and Peace for the 5th time and still don't get it.  Must be the weather.

    Parent

    I'm afraid to post a link. (none / 0) (#134)
    by oculus on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 10:21:36 AM EST
    do it (5.00 / 1) (#136)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 10:41:16 AM EST
    i spared them the scalp reduction photos.

    human interest and all.

    Parent

    There were some photos but, (none / 0) (#139)
    by fishcamp on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 01:43:37 PM EST
    the guy must have been in the stirrups since they were working in that little tent area.  The news is they're using a laser procedure for skin lightening now instead of the Michael Jackson type creams and lotions that are sold everywhere in the Orient.

    Parent
    Good lord (none / 0) (#138)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 01:09:54 PM EST
    It really does seem like the wheels are finally coming off the crazy train in DC. Today the white house seems to be drowning a little more than yesterday.

    I think the crazy train has lost its brakes... (5.00 / 1) (#140)
    by Anne on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 02:00:10 PM EST
    Federal law enforcement authorities are actively investigating the Clinton Foundation and whether former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton exchanged policy favors or special access for contributions to the charity, the Hill reported and CNN confirmed.

    Link

    Two Republicans leading the Senate Judiciary Committee probe into Russia's meddling in the 2016 election have referred to the Justice Department for criminal charges the ex-British spy who compiled a dossier alleging ties between Russia and the Trump campaign.

    The move was first reported by the New York Times and quickly confirmed with a press release from Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who chairs a Judiciary subcommittee.

    Link

    Does anyone in DC give a flying fk about, you know, the actual country they're supposed to represent?  It would not seem so.

    I don't think there's a piece of land they don't want to drill, frack, or deforest.  No water they don't want to stick drilling rigs in.  Make the mines less safe for the miners.  Destroy public education.  Sell off the nation's parks and monuments.  Deregulate the financial industry.  The revitalized war on drugs.  Less for the old, the poor and the sick.  

    The WH appears to be its own version of very, very bad reality TV.  

    As Charlie Pierce always says:  This is your democracy, America: cherish it.

    Parent

    Yes, so much for (5.00 / 1) (#142)
    by KeysDan on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 02:36:47 PM EST
    impeachment/conviction as long as the Republicans are in the majority.  No matter what Mueller finds, including Trump shooting someone on 5th Avenue or Tverskaya Street.

    The Republicans are still joyous over Trump signing into law their dream tax bill, one salivated over for decades. And, looking forward to more.

     Ryan agreed with Nunes,rather than Wray/Rosenstein, apparently, on documents requested regarding the FBI investigation.  The quid pro quo is evident:  Congressional Republicans circle the wagons for Trump; Trump supports and signs into law, "entitlement reforms,"  that is: privatization/reduced benefits/higher premiums, Medicare and Social Security.

    Parent

    The only solution (none / 0) (#143)
    by Ga6thDem on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 03:28:34 PM EST
    is to work like heck, donate, call voters and what ever else you can do to get them out of office.

    Parent
    Two Words (none / 0) (#141)
    by FlJoe on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 02:35:13 PM EST
    Banana Republic
     

    Parent
    Moore accuser house burned (none / 0) (#146)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 06:37:34 PM EST
    GERALDS GAME (none / 0) (#147)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Jan 05, 2018 at 07:23:49 PM EST
    Finally got around to this NETFLIX original movie adaptation of one of my favorite non monster Stephen King books.

    Recommended.

    We're back home in Hilo. (none / 0) (#148)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Jan 07, 2018 at 01:39:18 AM EST
    And I must say, having been gone three weeks, it's really good to be back. Even our cat is happy to see us. Our neighbor took very good care of him while we were away, so he's none the worse for wear, but he's been following each of us around and chattering nonstop from the moment we opened the door. He's sitting next to the keyboard on top of the desk as I type this. What strange and mystical creatures cats are.