Life

Fight me

Posted on by backuphill

selective focus of a boxer s fist

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Perhaps I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

Ever have one of those days where you just wanna punch everyone?

After a week or so of built up frustration, this morning just feels like I wanna pick fights just so I can punch someone.

I won’t, of course. I am not an animal and I do have some self-control.

And I pretty much work alone, all day in my garage, so there really won’t be any harm inflicted on anyone.

But good golly, I just wanna break stuff.

I am tired of people. I don’t even see that many people most days. But I am still tired of them.

I can understand why people like to live off grid. Away from other people. Away from society. I might not like the complete isolation, but it sure can be appealing at times.

Really appealing.

Watch your face. And I’ll watch mine.

 

Festival bummer

Posted on by backuphill

action adults celebration clouds

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This Covid, corona virus stuff is cancelling everything.

Sports. Concerts. Funerals. Weddings. Church. Parades. Street, county, and state fairs. Festivals. If it draws a large number of people, it’s likely been cancelled. They aren’t waiting to do it either. Most everything has been cancelled through the end of the year.

Now, I don’t do, or don’t even like some of those things listed above. But I believe people should have the right, even with precautions, to participate if they choose to do so. However, in a continuing move to scare everyone into compliance, everything is cancelled.

Well, almost everything. Not “protests.” Those are still allowed and even encouraged. Just wear a mask or not…

So, over the weekend, I learned that one of my favorite street festivals here in the county was cancelled. Major bummer. I loved going over to the city about 20 minutes away, parking, and then meandering about the booths looking at cool stuff, art, smelling the smells, and whatnot. It was a lot of fun.

Anyway, that’s when an idea struck me. If “protests” are allowed…HOLD THE STREET FESTIVAL ANYWAY! Hear me out here.

Do it anyway. Hell, all you have to do is slap some social justice slogans on it (pick one or nine, doesn’t matter), paint some signs (or the street, cuz you know that is the “in thing” right now), tell people to wear masks, shout some nonsensical stuff, and let people gather to “protest.” It would almost be like that CHAZ/CHOP thing in Seattle, right?

It’s like the perfect formula to do whatever the heck you want. It’s a license to celebrate, mourn, party, remember, whatever.

This is a great idea. Dare I say, it could even be a “protest” against tyrannical governors and health officials. That would be something. Wouldn’t it?

 

17+1

Posted on by backuphill

group of people making toast

NOT MY FAMILY – Photo by fauxels on Pexels.com

I took the day off yesterday, from work and blogging.

Family is in town from out of town, so yesterday was when everyone could get together at the same time.

It was actually kind of a big deal, since most of the time people are uncooperative and typically chaos ensues as the planning and execution of said plans happens.

So, 17+1 all managed to make it to another  part of the state and gather in a sort of “family reunion” type gathering. 17+1? Well, there were 17 people, plus one on the way.

Family? My wife and I, our combined 6 children, 2 of their spouses and a significant other, and 6 grandchildren (plus the one on the way).

Picnic lunch, visiting shops and stores amid a pandemic and ridiculous restrictions, ice creams stops, and lots of driving (about 6 hours round trip). So, as you can imagine, there are always a bit of wrangling issues when you have people in your group from ages of 53 to 2. But, for the most part, it was a memorable time.

Granted, these are the people that a large portion of the topics here on the blog deal with, but yesterday they were all exempt. Genuine effort by all made for a day that was mostly pleasant.

So, today, while I don’t feel like Pissing and Moaning, I guess I’ll just be appreciative.

Grow up

Posted on by backuphill

blue white ribbon on pink box

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It never ceases to amaze me at how adult family members can be so immature, especially family members who are in their late 50’s.

A few details about my BNL. Single. Lives alone. Makes great money as a machinist in a local shop. Like to talk about himself, but that mostly includes his cats and his job (which he talks in technical jargon so no one can understand what he is talking about). Is a bit out there in ideology, but not extremist by any means. Likes rocks, gems, and nature photography.

Now, he always shows up at holiday celebrations. Rarely shows up for birthday celebrations, other than for his parents. Always comes to consume, but almost never contributes. Never participates in planning get-togethers and never shares in the expense, even though he will show up for them. When asked to bring something, he feigns not knowing what to bring, and if he is asked to bring something specifically it is never enough for size of the gathering.

Over the weekend, my FNL had his 80th birthday. His daughters (even one from out of town) planned the gathering and provided nearly everything for it. BNL showed up before the gathering and didn’t help with setup, tried to carry on conversations while we were setting up (as in, watched while we worked), didn’t offer to help, didn’t offer to help with expenses, nothing. But he made sure he was next to first in line for food. The only thing he actually did, or offered for the whole thing….he picked up some folding chairs at the end. Otherwise, he was busy hiding in the house and doing other things.

Time for someone to grow up and not think of themselves? Yeah, pretty much. Why do none of his siblings say anything to him about it? I have no clue.

Maybe there is history I don’t know about, but I am pretty sure he would have already told me if I stood there to listen to him long enough.

Irritating, you know?

Baseball is back…

Posted on by backuphill

…but it really isn’t baseball.

Sure, they are playing the game. That part I like. I have missed it. Spring Training, when I was there in February, feels like a lifetime ago at this point.

But, with the shortened season, rule changes for said short season, and all the protest stuff going on before and during the game, it doesn’t feel the same. I love the game, but it just isn’t the same.

I likely won’t watch.

I maybe probably will listen. Maybe. Probably.

I am torn.

selective focus grayscale photography of baseball

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Seattle

Posted on by backuphill

aerial view of city buildings

Photo by Josh Fields on Pexels.com

I don’t recommend you visit.

It’s irritating to watch from a city nearby and see all the garbage that is going on down there.

The City and County Councils have gone off the rails. The mayor is a failure. Chaos in the streets (continues) and chaos in the government.

Homelessness is rampant. Drug use is up, even to the point that the city is providing space to allow and encourage it. Mismanagement of funds. Sheltering illegal immigrants.

“Handcuffing” cops so they can’t deal with unruly “protesters,” but just making them stand there to watch the lawlessness or take the physical and verbal abuse.

CHAZ and then CHOP.

Defund the Seattle PD by 50%, which is causing a mass exodus of officers to other communities.

Close the King County Jail within the next several years and completely stop youth incarceration. They want to take the position of the sheriff from being one voted on and into the position to one of being appointed.

They are trying to tax big businesses in the city and county to ungodly levels, which will eventually drive them out, not only from the city and county but very likely even the state (Bezos is public enemy #1 instead of the rioters destroying the city and holding parts of it hostage).

Make any sense? Any of it?

None. Not one bit of it.

Unless, your playbook was written by Marx. And Lenin. And Stalin. And Mao.

Ah, suddenly a picture comes into focus.

Don’t visit Seattle. Don’t be a tourist. Certainly don’t even think about moving there. Stay away from it. I have decided that I will avoid it as much as possible. No more visiting (it’s not safe). No more sports teams (can’t guarantee getting to the stadium will be safe). No more exploring. No more spending. No more.

Don’t visit Seattle.

Kicked

Posted on by backuphill

man kicking bonfire

Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

As in, my ass.

Work is kicking it today.

Can I just retire already? (never mind I have like 20 years to go…)

How is there so much work when school isn’t in session? (cuz of the damn Covid think…)

I gotta stop answering my own questions.

 

I am validated

Posted on by backuphill

left human hand

Photo by Oleg Magni on Pexels.com

Research shows, Piss and Moan is good for you.

Angry? Cynical? Pessimist? Grumpy? Ill-tempered?

All good for you, according to research.

Since we’re so into science these days and scientists know all, and should be trusted at all times, so you know this is quality stuff. How could they possibly be wrong? Well, honestly, they’re not. They know their stuff!

So, Bobby McFerrin, you can take your “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” and shove it! According to research, that crap is bad for your health and is more likely to kill you.

Need some help getting into the Piss and Moan mood? I have a few helpful hints to get you there, because I am also an expert in this area.

Try these responses to common, courtesy phrases:

They say: “Good morning!”  /  Your response: “What’s good about it?”

They say: “Have a nice day!”  /  Your response: “Don’t tell me what to do.”

Try these thoughts as you go out in public:

Good grief, people are really stupid.

You know, if half these people died right now I wouldn’t miss them.

Based on today’s display of humanity, would pre-historic times really have been that bad?

Try these thoughts about family:

They say: “We’re coming over.”  /  Your response: “Do you really have to?”

When, for all that is holy, can I stop parenting for 20 minutes?

How are these losers really my kids?

I’m not really genetically related to these people, am I?

You say: “Can you all just leave now?”  /  They say: “But, we haven’t been here that long.”

See how easy that is? Piss and Moan more. It has been validated and scientifically proven to be good for you.

You’re welcome.

 

Noon

Posted on by backuphill

photo of man touching his head

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Noon, and all I wanna do is sit down.

Technically, I have been sitting all morning while I work.

But I mean like actually sit down and relax. Actually, you probably already know what I meant without me having to say it. I think we would all just like to sit down and put our feet up.

It’s July 17, 2020, and we are now officially more than halfway through the year.

That’s not real comforting to know that when it feels like we have been through three years in the last six months. Right?

The next six months is shaking out to be another 4 years worth of issues. How fun will that be?

Anyone else just…tired?

Tired physically, emotionally, and of anything and everything?