Naming it

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There is dumb, and there is really dumb. This falls into the dumbest dumb of the dumb category. Apparently, when you have lots of money, you have to do dumb things like this. Buying the naming rights for a stadium, arena, venue, or whatever is kind of a way to promote your business by making it something that becomes recognizable to all.

Amazon, and Bezos, go the other way. They name the former Key Arena the dumbest of dumb names ever.

Climate Change Arena.

WTF? Talk about a nonsensical name. If I were a fan of any sport that took place in that building I’d be pissed. Thus, I am not really a fan of hockey or women’s basketball and won’t hardly, if ever, visit the arena. I can only think of two occasions in the last 25 years that I went inside the building, and neither of them involved sports. So, no skin off my back, but I just think it is a dumb name. Name a building after a social cause?

Waste of money. And time.

I am sure there will be more stupid names to follow. We are in that kind of “awareness” in the United States at the moment.

So, I’ll name it. I didn’t buy the rights, but I have the freedom to call it whatever I want. So, I’ll name it what it is: “Dumb Name Arena.”

Forced

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I don’t like to be forced to do things. I don’t like being forced not to do things. I am complicated that way. Or maybe I am not really. I don’t know.

Lately, I find myself getting suggestions by someone that would essentially force me to interact with people I wouldn’t normally interact with, let alone go out my way to interact with them.

Just last night I mentioned that I was thinking about doing something and if I had to go alone that was ok, as it would just be a quick overnight trip later this month to see my grandparents and deliver/pickup gift exchange packages. Simple and quick.

I was met with, “That’s a good idea. If I can’t go, why don’t you see if ***** would like to go with you. It would be good for both of you and give you two a chance to hang out.”

What part of when I mentioned this idea did I indicate that I wanted to take extra people with me? When did I indicate that I wanted to have someone along that would neither want to go, nor would they appreciate the time? The suggestion was kind of pointless seeing as how the person being suggested hasn’t made any effort to see me (us) and almost never wanted to hang out with me (or contact me directly) in the past, let alone go see my grandparents with whom there has never been a relationship.

Rather strange and outta the blue suggestion.

Stop trying to force me to interact with people. I don’t like people in general, so I don’t want random suggestions of whom I should hang out with.

Have or have not

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No, this isn’t a Tyler Perry show, nor is it related to personal financial bottom lines.

In this case, I think we are quickly going to become a nation (or maybe world) of “have or have not” vaccinated.

“Have you, or have you not, had the Covid-19 vaccine?”

I believe that will become a common question in society when the vaccine becomes widely available to the public. Not that it is anyone else’s business, but I just have a feeling like it will suddenly become so. A year ago no one would have ever imagined that you would have to announce before attending a public event that you were vaccinated against mumps, rubella, chicken pox, or whatever…am I right? So, what is coming seems implausible and yet all the more plausible at the same time.

No, I am not a vaccine conspiracy theorist when it comes to vaccines. I don’t believe the government is putting something in them to track us or to control us. No, I don’t believe a vaccine causes autism. No, I am not one to think that vaccines are all bad either. I believe they have their place and have been useful throughout history. I was vaccinated as a child and I vaccinated my own. So, there’s that. I believe it should be a choice. How is that the “my body, my choice” mantra only applies to certain situations? It should be a choice.

I don’t get the flu shot and never have. I also don’t think everyone should.

So, when it comes to the vaccine for Covid, yeah, I’m not on board that bus either.

But, what I envision is that not only will we be required (it’s voluntary now) to use the contract tracing apps on our phones, but we will also have to disclose whether or not we have had the vaccine for every day situations that were normal in the past:

  • Want to go to a professional sporting event? Have = you’re in, have not = you’re out.
  • Want to go to a concert? Have = you’re in, have not = you’re out.
  • Want to go to a restaurant to sit down and eat? Have = you’re in, have not = you’re out.
  • Want to fly to another state or another country? Have = you’re in, have not = you’re out.
  • Want to attend college? Have = you’re in, have not = you’re out.
  • Want to go to a theme park? Have = you’re in, have not = you’re out.
  • Want to go to a movie theater? Have = you’re in, have not = you’re out.
  • Want to get a job (or keep your job)? Have = you’re in, have not = you’re out.

Ultimately, we will become a society of those who have and those who have not, each with our own separate places to go, see, and do. Businesses will have it posted in their windows and online for those who “have not” to be excluded and they will gladly accept those who “have.” Perhaps they (example, restaurants) will figure out a way to serve both “have” and “have nots” – say haves can dine inside while the have nots will be relegated to an outside dining experience in fresh air or a tent (kinda like now, during the lockdown).

Either way, this will, of course, lead to a society of financial have and have nots too. It’s inevitable.

Or, I could just be imagining things.

Sales?

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Anyone else feeling like the Black Friday & Cyber Monday sales are a little lacking this year?

I haven’t found anything that I have said, “Oh, I gotta get that cuz it’s a great deal!” Seriously. The sales are kinda disappointing this year.

Considering that most people will be shopping online, it’s felt a little underwhelming. I know there have been lots of calls to “support local” and I would like to do that too, but gift cards (or cash) sure seem rather impersonal and not real exciting.

I have been looking for three very specific items and only one (general category) has good sales. Of course, the item will also have (typically) good sales again in two months for the Super Bowl so it isn’t like I have to rush right out and get something.

The other items I am keeping an eye have either not had a markdown at all (Ryobi leaf blower), or the markdown was so piss poor (Sonos sound bar) that it was hardly worth the purchase (not even 10% off!!). So, I will continue to wait on those items too. Nothing exciting or anything to feel good about at the moment.

Has anyone found anything that excited them or enticed them to buy?

Tell me about your exciting purchase in the comments, or give me a recommendation of a sale you think is worth getting excited about.

Holiday decor

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Call me Scrooge. Call me The Grinch. Call me grumpy. Call me whatever.

I hate holiday decor. Like, seriously.

If it were up to me, there would be very little done in the way of decorating for the holidays. It would be simple and wouldn’t take hours to set up, or tear down. It would be quick and easy and not require the rearranging of the entire house.

It would also not involve Christmas lights hung on the house. Talk about a waste of energy (literally and figuratively)!

No one enjoys putting the damn things up. No one relishes the idea of climbing a ladder over and over again. No one loves the idea of climbing around on the roof of the house with impending disaster just one slip away. No one likes untangling lights, running extention cords, replacing light bulbs, or being in the cold for long periods of time while putting them up and taking them down.

What a stupid tradition. Really. Who came up with this idea? Never mind that. I don’t really care.

I have the day off today. Guess what I have been tasked with? If you need me I’ll be outside, climbing ladders, dangling over the edge of the eaves, and cursing my existence for the next several hours.

Bah-humbug, I say!

Spinning

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Feeling a little dizzy today. Not sure what is going on.

Maybe I haven’t had enough water.

Maybe I have had too much screen time.

Maybe I just need more rest.

I haven’t been feeling bad, so this is a little outta the blue. Felt fine yesterday, though I didnt’ post anything (did you miss me?). Had a decent weekend and don’t feel any different that usual, except for the slight dizziness.

Perhaps a I need a little something in the stomach…though I honestly could stand to lock the fridge and cabinets for a week or five. Wouldn’t hurt me to wire the jaw shut, if you know what I mean.

So, I sit here working and wonder if the words on the screen will go back in order (albeit, briefly) so I can read them and help the next client.

Anyone else found themselves on a perpetual merry-go-round lately?

For the love

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of spam.

No, not the meaty and gooey pork product, though I do love me some of that stuff fried and then put into a grilled cheese sammich! But, I digress. Distracted by food. That’s easy to do…

Anyway, I have had an increase in followers the last week or two. While it is nice to see that number go up, it’s kind of irritating to know that a large number of those are just really spam accounts. They aren’t real followers. Just garbage producers of crappy, repetitive, and unhelpful marketing advice and products. Oh, and throw in the motivational and weird stuff too. You would think that WordPress would have a way of detecting and eliminating this garbage.

Someone once said there was a way to limit this (I think it was something about requiring an email address, but I can’t remember for sure), but at the time I didn’t want to do it because I wanted to give the best, most wide-open access possible. Maybe that is a bad idea, maybe not.

Anyway, rather than going that direct, I thought I would try an experiment. Wanna help with the social media test, an unofficial survey of sorts? It’s gonna require that you do something…

If you are a real follower and actually read the blog, leave a comment – a very specific comment – “Not spam.”

Seriously, I wanna see if this works. I may use this to weed out the followers who aren’t really following. So, if you wanna stay in the know, DO IT!

Paranoia

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I went to Costco this last Sunday. It was a regular trip for me. Nothing of immediate need and I was actually going to do some research on a possible big purchase.

It just so happens that this was also the day the moron of a governor was announcing his new mandates for the next foreseeable future. Those mandates would go into effect the following day, or the day after. Lockdown Part Deux.

Anyway, it seems others who were visiting Costco that day were simply there to buy toilet paper and paper towels again. REALLY? Gosh you people are stupid. Panic buying.

Oh, and the panic was on the outside of the building too. The line, in the wind and rain, to get into the fricking place was the entire length of the building. Also, the sheep were wearing their masks while standing outside in the wind and at least six feet apart.

Apparently the fear is so great or they have now been so conditioned to wear the mask that they don’t even mind wearing it outside in the fresh air! Gosh you people are stupid.

Well, I was the only person in line that I could see that wasn’t complying with the mask thing. I stood there, with my mask off, will I got right up to the door. Yes, I will wear it inside (though I don’t really like it) to help others and also help businesses stay open. I am not going to intentionally get people in trouble (well, at least not yet…).

I just couldn’t believe all the stupidity on display. Actually, I guess nothing really surprises me. No, actually, there are still things that surprise me. I guess this was one of them.

How quickly people let the paranoia set in and control the.

Here we go again…

Dear Washingtonians and businesses,

As your governor, I have done my best to ruin you and your lives this year (and, quite frankly, hopefully an hope of a financial future for you too). I have been successful in many aspects, as I have seen thousands of you just up and quit under my rule and rules. Quit your business, quit school, quit life, quit everything.

I am now instating a second, financially destructive lockdown. If you barely survived that last one, congratulations. I was hoping you wouldn’t, but your resilience and perseverance are admirable. I underestimated you, your supporters, and those of you who would dare to question me. I won’t let you succeed and survive this time.

Really, we don’t need the mom and pop shops and restaurants and such. We need big businesses to be more successful so I can tax them and require them to pay higher wages. I am trying so hard to make more people dependent on the state by covering the gaps that I haven’t forced you to cover yet. Financial recovery and actually letting Covid run it’s natural course like the flu isn’t acceptable. Hopefully this is the final and proverbial “last nail in the coffin” for you.

I’ll let you know in three weeks that I am extending the lockdown, just before the new current four weeks is about to expire, for no good reason other than there are lots of sheep who will follow my every word.

Listen, I have won re-election by catering to the extremely liberal, and Socialistic voter base in three counties. I really don’t have to beat around the bush now and pretend that I care about you, because I don’t. This is what’s best for my agenda and that of the Socialist/Communist movement.

Your unquestioning compliance is appreciated.

With my sincerest, insincere vocal tone and look,

Jay Inslee

WA Governor

Pooped

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Maybe this falls into the TMI category, maybe it doesn’t. I am sure the male readers in the group can probably attest to something of a similar experience, and if nothing else it might provide for a little comedic reading.

So, I am an early morning pooper.

I really prefer to get to my squatting done before my shower. I mean, that way I can head into the day with a freshly clean keister and don’t have to worry about unintentional stankiness (at least for the first part of the day).

So, typically the day begins after crawling outta bed with a squat on the porcelain throne. The amount of time can vary, but usually the business is done in 15-20 minutes and then I can proceed to the shower.

Today, I spent my usual time on the commode and then proceeded to hop into the shower. Not 10 minutes later, I am getting the painful feeling that I need to cop-a-squat again. Now I am feeling those gaseous pains and squeezing the cheeks together hoping that I am not gonna drop a package in the shower. Thankfully, it subsided briefly and I was able to finish my shower.

After getting outta the shower, no pressing feeling to visit the “thinking throne” is persisting so I am thinking I am gonna be able to start the day as usual. I get dressed and make coffee.

HELLO! I am reminded that the gas has not passed and either I am gonna have to do the penguin waddle to the water closet or find something to lean up against and endure the sharp pain in the middle region again. I wait because no waddle will happen without an accident. After the gurgling stops and the pain is tempered, I quickly head for the pooper.

Wait…the gas pains have returned, literally just before the pants come down and I am left staring at the crapper whilst I grimace through the next wave of internal chaos. WTH! Literally a foot from the squatter and I can’t use it….yet…

I am not sure why decided to turn my bowels into a problematic mess that required multiple visits to the porcelain bowl. Either way, that last trip seemed to do the trick. The main tank has been completely emptied.

I still would have liked to done it the first time and not had to put on pants feeling “unclean.”

There ya go! A little Friday the 13th potty humor/giggle/TMI for you.

Anyone else have similar experiences or habits?