Shit-tastic weekend weather, alas. Heat and occasional showers on Saturday gave way to cold and slashing rain on Sunday. Nothing to do but clean a closet. Found these:
I bought these a few years back, thinking I’d indulge in a fun fad of my long-lost youth. The soles would indicate they’ve been only lightly worn, maybe because I realized that when you take a wrong step in these, your heel comes down OUCH GODDAMNIT on the edge of those wooden soles. I recall a miracle in those soles, shaped to support the arch and encourage your toes to grab the little ridge with every step — remember, these were Dr. Scholl’s exercise sandals, the idea being those little toe clenches were exercise for your summer legs. You bought them in a drugstore, in one of three colors: Red, blue and bone. I was always a bone girl, so that’s when I picked this time.
Why do we remember how comfortable the wooden sole was, and forget how much more comfortable was everything that came after, with gel soles and miracle foams and all the rest of it.
I might wear these to my high-school reunion this summer. We’ll see.
It felt good to purge the closet. Threw away a few things, put a lot in the donate pile. There’s a little air in there now.
Even with cold and wind, we had a better weekend than some. And some others. And certainly Denny Hastert. If you missed Sherri’s comment on the last thread, I think it’s a win:
The more I think about the Hastert situation, the more incredulous I grow. This is a man who was third in line in the succession, yet he seems to be dumber than a box of rocks. He doesn’t seem to be aware that banks have to report cash transactions more than $10K, so when his former victim makes himself known and they negotiate a payment, he starts withdrawing $50K chunks of cash, instead of, oh, wiring funds, or hiring the guy to do some “job” for him. The bank calls him in and tells him, look, we have to tell the IRS about this, where’s the money going, and he says, oh, I just don’t trust banks, I’m stuffing it in my mattress, and he promptly starts withdrawing chunks just under $10K. The FBI, unsurprisingly, becomes concerned that something is going on, and contacts him, and Hastert talks to them without a lawyer (who talks to the FBI without a lawyer?), and then lies to the FBI (who doesn’t know that lying to the FBI is a crime?)
If Gingrich is the stupid person’s idea of a smart person, then I guess Hastert is just the stupid person.
Yes, amen.
Meanwhile, there were some moments of zen to be had. Read this WashPost story on the anti-Muslim demonstration in Arizona all the way to the end, because it’s worth it. The friend who pointed it out referred to the idiot at the center of this as a “halfwit hick” and that certainly describes comments like this:
“I can’t let my kids grow up in a society where tyranny is reigning over. I’ve got ISIS posting my address. This is terrorism at its finest, right here in America,” he said. “My family has to go into hiding.”
But? It gets better. Read to the end, I promise it’s worth it.
Time for “Game of Thrones.” And the week ahead. I hope it’s better than the last.
Wim said on June 1, 2015 at 6:44 am
Who do we remember how comfortable the wooden sole? Why shall we send to bell the cat?
In my mind’s eye, that guy who went into the mosque and got his mind blown looked like Dickie Crowder from Justified.
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coozledad said on June 1, 2015 at 7:30 am
Before TV news accommodates the Republicans and runs from the Hastert story, it would be a good idea to step back and ask how that party became a pedo ring, or more pointedly, why it absorbed all the pedophile/authoritarian element of Greco Roman sportsing, along with a boatload of other pathologies.
Arkansas will do for a model of Republican control, since that’s the state they’d most like the nation to resemble. There, you can adopt kids and farm them for money, and rehome them for your neighbors to fuck, and health and human services will look the other way. When you get caught, the Republican Party will close ranks around you, and Asa Hutchinson will testify to the strength of your character.
Republicans aren’t about governance. They’re about power. As they struggle to make the Hastert story a “homo” story as opposed to a grown man fucking a child under his authority, remember that they cultivate loser shitsacks like this, groom them for office, because it gives them a tighter grip on their balls. Hastert was filthy from the start, and they knew it. He was up for diving into any Abramoff scheme, using federal monies to route highways near his property, intervene in tribal casino disputes to engineer the flow of cash into his accounts, and he also functioned as the Turkish government’s man in Washington.
He’d dive face first into any bucket of shit they put in front of him, because he’ was an exemplary Republican. They’d cover his blackmail costs if they had to, and it was worth every penny to them, because he’d do whatever they asked. They knew he’d boned his high school wrestling team from the fucking beginning. And there are a shitload more Hasterts among them. It’s the culture of the party in a nutshell.
If you think this is dick swinging, well, piss off.
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alex said on June 1, 2015 at 7:39 am
When the internet was first new, and I was working at a publishing house, we were instructed on how to utilize it for information-gathering purposes. (Which is to say, how to lift and re-write content that had been generated by others; also, how to avoid poison pills that were being planted by other publishers in their content in order to catch people like us.) Alta Vista was the preferred search engine then. And as examples of the weird/inappropriate stuff we might encounter in the cyberworld, there was a site called Bad Puppy, and another called the Clog Page.
The Clog Page was for wooden shoe fetishists, and if you think that’s a weird kink, well it is. Evidently there’s a whole subculture that’s into being walked on by Dr. Scholl’s exercise sandals, as well as enjoying them rectally and vaginally and in all sorts of other ways than that which the manufacturer intended. Sniffing them even.
The Clog Page seems to have disappeared, though there’s now a Clog Page on Facebook that’s looks to be strictly about fashion.
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alex said on June 1, 2015 at 7:41 am
Yay! Cooz is back!
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Jeff Borden said on June 1, 2015 at 8:03 am
The story about the loons in Phoenix and the reactions described at the end of the story echo the words of Mark Twain, who said (roughly) that the greatest threat to prejudice was travel, presumably because we find the “others” are a lot like us. Fear of Muslims stems from lack of interaction with anyone of the faith, which was clearly the case for the vast majority of those super patriots in Arizona. None of these buffoons is sophisticated enough to understand they are doing the work ISIS and al Queda want done. . .stirring up blind, unreasoning hatred.
Welcome back Cooz.
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beb said on June 1, 2015 at 8:05 am
First, I feel like alex won the weekend thread with I’ve been saying for years that, anymore, the only people who are fervently, frantically trying to sustain gays’ social status as pariahs are those with a vested interest.
Secondly, welcome back Cooz,
Thirdly, I respectfully object to Cooz’s thought that the GOP know hastert was dirty from the beginning. Since the previous two Speakers (Gingrich and Livingston(?)) had to resign because of scandals, I’m pretty sure the GOP was looking for someone without any scandals. I don’t think they would have promoted someone who they knew was a pedophile if they had known about it. The rest of it, the ordinary corruption, wouldn’t have been a deterrent.
Fourthly, Bernie Sanders has been kicking up a storm for his presidential run. He may not have a chance but he’s talking the kmind of smack that a lot of people have been wanting to hear – 90% upper tax bracket and a financial transaction tax. Good stuff.
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brian stouder said on June 1, 2015 at 8:13 am
And leaving aside the happenin’ wooden shoes, it’s not too much to say that our Proprietress has beautiful feet, too!
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nancy said on June 1, 2015 at 8:29 am
Fixed the typos, I think. Sorry about that.
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Deborah said on June 1, 2015 at 8:38 am
Coozledad!
Nancy, your feet look tiny. I’m getting my first pedicure of the season this afternoon. Littlebird is getting one too plus having her nails done for the wedding she’s in. She leaves for St. Louis tomorrow. And today is my husband’s 68th birthday.
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brian stouder said on June 1, 2015 at 8:44 am
Happy Birthday to Deborah’s Mister!
And indeed, good to see Cooz, up top
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brian stouder said on June 1, 2015 at 8:56 am
Forgot to mention that Nance’s ‘shit-tastic’ weekend weather certainly made for some interesting racing at Belle Isle. Now Grant, our 19 year old, is working me over to go to next year’s ‘dual’…
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Sherri said on June 1, 2015 at 11:19 am
Hey beb, don’t rain on my parade! I don’t stand a chance for getting an above the fold thread win again with Cooz back in town!
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krlock said on June 1, 2015 at 11:42 am
LOVE the shoes! You definitely have to wear them to your reunion-seeing them brought me right back to middle school/early high school. Overall that era doesn’t have my favorite memories but felt a warm nostalgia seeing those Dr Scholl’s!
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beb said on June 1, 2015 at 11:49 am
None of us do, Sherri. None of us do.
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Judybusy said on June 1, 2015 at 12:12 pm
I’m glad Nancy re-posted Sherri’s comments–well-said, Sherri! There was a WaPo article about how so many speakers had sex scandals prior and after Hastert. I am so sick of these hypocrites.
Happy birthday, Mr. Deborah! I hope you two have a fun night.
Ah, Cooz, glad you’re back.
Our weekend was the opposite of Nancy’s: rainy, cool Friday then Saturday and Sunday were sunny, 60-ish. The niece’s graduation events were great-so cool to see her excited and enjoying it all. She is one of the kids who loved high school, is popular, did great. Happily, my dumb dad just patted me on the shoulder and did a drive by “How are you?” while totally ignoring my partner as he has for 15 years. Truly, his loss, because she’s incredible.
Bernie Sanders got a huge crowd here in Minneapolis. I found out about it too late, was busy anyway helping a friend move. Who has friends and family move him for beer and pizza when he’s 50?! My super frugal adorable bud from college, that’s who. We had a lot of fun and the little after party was spent on his backyard patio basking in the sun.
Our backyard projects are now done. Fence was installed on Thursday, and the patio folks came back today to finish the 10″ of patio that runs along the fence. I’m so ecstatic about how it all turned out. Working from home today and it’s so hard not to just go out in the sunny day and gaze for hours at it all….
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Julie Robinson said on June 1, 2015 at 1:02 pm
As salient as Sherri’s remarks are, and as great as it is to have Cooz back, I have to think today’s thread win goes to Alex and the clog site. Wowza just wowza.
Birthday blessings go to Deborah’s hubby and relief for lack of confrontation to Judybusy.
I had a pair of those Dr. Scholl’s but they lived in my closet since they always raised huge blisters every time I tried to wear them. Besides, nothing looks that cute in a size 10, let me tell you. I just needed some new walking shoes, and they only seem to come in neon shades these days. I rejected the cobalt/orange pair for slightly less vibrant purple/hot pink. You can see me coming from a mile away.
Rainy and cold most of the weekend. I despair at ever getting seeds planted.
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Julie Robinson said on June 1, 2015 at 1:05 pm
Oh yes, a photo of Caitlyn Jenner just showed up in my facebook feed. I don’t follow that clan so I thought it was another daughter, but no, it’s who we used to know as Bruce. Lookin’ good on her big reveal, and I wish her peace and happiness. http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/06/caitlyn-jenner-bruce-cover-annie-leibovitz?mbid=social_twitter
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Deborah said on June 1, 2015 at 1:27 pm
I think Caitlyn looks terrific for a 60-something years old person. I realize it took surgery and makeup but they did a good job. IMO.
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susan said on June 1, 2015 at 1:36 pm
Deborah @18 – …and Photoshop®™©
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Jeff (the mild-mannered one) said on June 1, 2015 at 2:22 pm
And Leibovitz . . . when I turn 60, I’d like to have her take my pictures, too.
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nancy said on June 1, 2015 at 2:30 pm
An editor I worked for as a freelancer spotted Annie Leibovitz in an airport once. He introduced himself, told her he was a big fan, blah blah blah, and then handed her his point-and-shoot. “Will you?” he asked, and she did.
So now he has an Annie Leibovitz portrait of himself to call his own. Start trolling NYC airports, Jeff.
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Sue said on June 1, 2015 at 3:09 pm
judybusy, my weekend with the family included the comment “sometimes I think Hitler got it right”, so lucky you and poor me.
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Jenine said on June 1, 2015 at 3:22 pm
@Sue: oh lordy.
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Scout said on June 1, 2015 at 3:22 pm
So Arizona once again makes the dumbfuckery top ten list again. What else is new? The worst part is that these people breed. I did like how that article ended. It’s nice to know there can be some sanity, even here in Assholezona.
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Deborah said on June 1, 2015 at 3:29 pm
JusyBusy, wow, and I thought my former in-laws were bad.
The Caitlyn photos may have been shopped but there’s also a video on the website. I realize those can be doctored too, like shooting through Vaseline to soften things, but still..,
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Deborah said on June 1, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Oops, that was meant for Sue.
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adrianne said on June 1, 2015 at 4:00 pm
Speaking of paranoid people imagining terrorist plots:A little black Muslim hamlet just up the road from me a piece in the Catskills was apparently the object of a sick attack plot by a Tenn. goober. Here’s the Reuters story, pretty good: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/06/01/us-usa-islamberg-insight-idUSKBN0OH1D920150601?utm_source=twitter
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Judybusy said on June 1, 2015 at 4:34 pm
Oh, Sue, that’s pretty bad. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if my father thought the same–he’s a real racist in addition to being extremely homophobic. He had a hard time when my brother married a Japanese American woman. I hope you don’t have to see your relative who said that too often!
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Sue said on June 1, 2015 at 4:46 pm
My mother in law.
We limit contact, sorry to say.
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ROGirl said on June 1, 2015 at 4:51 pm
Cooz, you are in fine form.
Shouldn’t she be calling herself Kaitlin?
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alex said on June 1, 2015 at 5:29 pm
I don’t think there’s another Caitlyn (or Kaitlin) in the world who’s sixty-plus. But I must admit she cleans up nice.
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Heather said on June 1, 2015 at 6:33 pm
Well, since we are talking celebrities, I just got back from an amazing weekend in NYC where I saw Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan in “Skylight,” which was great. I adore Bill Nighy and he was wonderful, if a little too old for the part now. They refer to the character as “middle aged” when, ahem, he is a bit beyond that. But still very attractive!
I also went to the new location for Whitney Museum of American Art, which is also amazing and you should absolutely go if you are in NY. Terrific collection of art, stunning views from the building, and it’s right by the High Line.
Alex: in response to your question about my time at the Reader in the comments from the last post, I was there from about ’97 to ’99. I did work with Pat, but I am not in touch with him either. I think he is still in NYC.
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Jolene said on June 1, 2015 at 8:01 pm
I had the same reaction, Alex. Caitlyn is a ridiculous name for a woman in her sixties. She’d have done better to choose something from this list. Too bad she didn’t consult us.
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Dexter said on June 1, 2015 at 8:21 pm
Alex, you one funny sumbitch! 🙂 LMFAOROTFLMFAO2
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FDChief said on June 1, 2015 at 8:28 pm
Ah…Dr. Scholls. The Seventies were my days of wine and roses and the wooden cloppety-clop of Dr. Scholls on college-girl feet is like listening to an old romantic ballad. “You must remember this…”
The funny thing is, though, that even in their heyday the clogs were considered…ummm…less than flattering for the female foot. The old joke about Dr. Scholls is that Susie is headed for a big date Friday and suddenly realizes that she’s forgotten to renew her birth control prescription. She calls her pharmacy and it’s closed. She calls her doctor and gets his answering service. She leaves a message pleading for an emergency ‘scrip. Finally she gets a call back from the doc, no, he’s sorry, but he can’t do anything for her. But, he asks her, do you have a pair of those “Dr. Scholls” sandals in your closet somewhere? “Yes…” Suzie replies, and the doc says “Okay, fine; take two of those on your date – they’re guaranteed to prevent pregnancy – and call me Monday morning.”
That said, the owner of this shebeen looks very fetching from the ankles down in her sandals.
And re: the whole Jenner re-imaging, first, I agree that she looks damn good for a woman in her sixties, and, second, I agree that “Caitlyn” is a sixteen-year-old with a Hello Kitty cover for her phone. I always thought that Euphemia or Gloriana were perfectly good dowager sorts of names.
But maybe that’s just me.
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Dexter said on June 1, 2015 at 8:58 pm
Wellll…she shore hain’t no Jethrine Bodine, damnation anyway. https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/0e/61/0a/0e610a9c8cab24b74c4ca6551e0f69cc.jpg
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Dave Kobiela said on June 1, 2015 at 10:36 pm
My wife and I got an up-close view of Nancy’s “shit-tastic” weather this weekend. Fun trip from Garrett to deliver a swingset to our son and grandaughters in Sterling Heights. Thanks to Pilot(Lil’ Brother)Joe, who bought the commercial grade unit for his daughters Jenni and Kelli some 30 yrs ago, and passed it on to our sister for her little girl who’s now in HS.
Weather looked pretty bad by noon Saturday, then got more threatening as we became stuck in construction traffic on 15 Mile Road, 2 miles from our destination. That was when the tornado sirens came on and I decided not to wait around any longer.
A couple if detours through parking lots and a semi-legal u-turn later, we were at our son’s house and headed for the basement!
That’s when our daughter-in-law told us, “Oh, they blow the sirens for thunderstorm warnings too”.
Storm blew through, swingset installed, kids swung until grandma and grandad’s arms gave out, and then back home through more torrential rain, but no tornadoes.
Also, welcome back Coozledad!
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Deborah said on June 1, 2015 at 11:36 pm
Birthday festivities are over, we had a nice dinner outside, made by Little Bird of course. Had some friends from Abiquiu over, very enjoyable.
As I said earlier Little Bird and I got pedicures today at one of the only places we know about in Santa Fe. It reminded me of that NYT expose though. They were super busy, a man did my pedi which was new for me, I struck up a conversation with him and he said they come in from Albuqurque everyday (60 miles away), he said they hit the ground running at about 7:30am, don’t have time to eat all day and don’t get home until dark. The pedi was $17, I gave him a $10 tip. And I gave the woman who did LBs pedi and mani a $15 tip, don’t remember what the total for that was. I feel really bad for them after reading that article. It makes me want to not get anymore pedicures but then that doesn’t help them either. It wasn’t a great pedicure either, I told him to skip the massage part because he was so busy with so many people waiting.
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James said on June 2, 2015 at 6:35 am
The media is running to the story:
RUSH: But I think you’re right. I think in this case, in just in that small defining way you’re looking at it, he is the victim of an extortion plot. Now, others might say, “Well, Rush, he not the victim. What did he do to be blackmailed in the first place?” Well, that’s in the broader context. But blackmail’s illegal, too! Extortion is illegal, too. It’s not… You know, no matter what somebody does, that doesn’t make extortion or blackmail okay. And as this is all being reported, you have to understand this.
I mean, for the Drive-Bys, this was a godsend. This takes Hillary off the front page, this takes the Clinton Crime Family Foundation off the front page. Hell, this even broomed FIFA! The FIFA guys have gotta be the happiest people in the world. The FIFA story was shaping up to be at least a week or two, and now it’s gone because every media outlet is on Denny Hastert now. Every darn one of them is.
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ANDREAS PAPANDREOU said on December 5, 2015 at 1:46 pm
ALL THE IMMORAL CAPITALIST GIRLS LOVE DR.SCHOLL.
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ANDREAS PAPANDREOU said on April 2, 2016 at 1:09 pm
ALL THE IMMORAL CAPITALIST GIRLS LOVE WEARING DR.SCHOLL.I AM SOCIALIST AND I DISLIKE ALL THOSE GIRLS.
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