Open Thread - 12/29/23 - Resolutions and Predictions for the New Year
I resolve to put up a deer feeder, (I am a Bambi freak). I have had several chats with former deer hunters who suddenly laid down their deer rifles. On a day in their lives, their shame and guilt finally set in, they wanted to feed them, wanted them to thrive. One of those guys killed 66 deer in one year. His only saving grace is that all of them were eaten by poor families who had no source of meat otherwise. Still, he is not happy about his accomplishment. He feeds deer now. People do evolve.
I resolve to eat more vegetables. Or drink vegetable juice. That might result in my drinking more beer. We shall see.
I resolve to exercise more. My preferred exercise would be to get out on the dance floor more often.That might involve beer, hence two resolutions killed in one stone.
I resolve to be nicer and hold my temper. Now, I have fallen short on this one maybe 65 times, but hope springs eternal.
I predict our government will support a new proxy war somewhere. I hope it isn't too close to our shores, at the very least.
I predict our CIA will cause at least 1 color revolution somewhere. Hopefully, not here.
I predict we will all appreciate each other more than ever when various calamities occur, and shit hits the fan this year.
I predict we will stand strong and stand together when the time comes.
I had two $100 tickets to see the Mavericks at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels on New Years Eve, as well as a hotel room for 2 nights. Dear One and I decided we could not top seeing them after the nearly front row center seats we had in a fancy auditorium in Amarillo recently. It would be fun, but not the electric, keep us buzzed up for 48 hours concert experience we had. My secretary's year end bonus was those tickets and that hotel booking. We hope the youngish hipster secretary and her sister have the time of their lives. They both deserve the once in a lifetime experience.
Your turn, folks. This thread is open everything that is on your minds, so let 'er rip!
Comments
Hey good morning
Resolutions are funny and easily rationalized out of willingness IMO.
There is a general feeling the flipping of a calendar page will bring
changes, hopefully for the better. Good luck with yours!
by Caitlin Johnstone
https://caityjohnstone.medium.com/how-the-hell-did-we-get-here-f63ed4785f85
Thanks for the OT!
question everything
Maybe when Ukraine meets its unsavory end
we'll see something new. The Alexes were discussing how the collective West was "demilitarizing itself" by shipping off its weaponry to Ukraine:
It's not exactly the way I had in mind for "giving peace a chance" -- but it may have to do.
“Those who make Bernie Sanders impossible will make Luigi Mangione inevitable." - Dan Berger
resolve
think the EU stumbled down the same path
toothless tyranny is almost like less war, I guess.
The Ukies scored a hit on a RUS ship (mostly empty)
so they got a blitzkrieg in response. It is like trying to
teach a bad dog to behave by cutting his balls off.
Another lesson in paybacks.
question everything
Not all of it was paybacks
The airfields and strikes in the far west were statements that Russia is jonesing for delivery of those f-16s. I'm expecting another bounty on them like the Leapards and Challengers.
Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.
Agreed, point of the massive strike
is both to deplete the waning air defense capabilities of the enemy
and, by extension, put the warring nazi's on notice there is hell to pay
especially when they strike the military targets in the western areas
question everything
perhaps the Banderites will take notice
their savior exlensky is not quite as powerful as they are led to believe
question everything
Good morning, QMS
It froze last night! That's always a strange happening.
Caitlin is a giant step ahead of humanity. Many of us haven't figured out that we need to treat the earth with respect, and many of us use religion for mass slaughters.
Have a great weekend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Agree on Caitlin
She is gifted with a vision few possess.
The only religion I respect is the Native American reverence of Mother Earth and our small part of it. Entwined with all living things and making up a whole.
We called them barbarians, little realizing we are more barbaric.
Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.
I gotta say
that praising dirt and never owning it is a solid religion in my view.
As the Puritans murdered witches, they tagged the Natives as barbarians because they didn't worship Baby Jeebus, and honored witch doctors.
Puritans, along with most Baby Jeebus lovers, have no sense of irony.
My secretary and her sister had as disastrous of an upbringing as can be imagined. Their exposure to "the good life" was fleeting and from a distance. I have gotten my secretary interested in history, and the town of Gruene is brimming with it. She has never been exposed to the high degree of musicianship and sophistication that she will experience.
I am happy for her.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Good morning, good people!
I hope everyone has fun plans for the long weekend.
What's up with you all? Are you busy resolving?
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Good morning...
Nice resolutions. More carbonated barley juice was my favorite. I need to start a regular exercise routine too. Working around the homestead is helpful, but I can tell I'm losing muscle as I age. They say building muscle is an important factor in senior health.
Chilly here this morning with a few snow flakes due to fall this pm, but no accumulation. I'm baking a turkey (bought cheap at T-day). My sister is coming up tomorrow to spend the holiday with us. I hope she doesn't get too bored with our quiet lifestyle. Sunday is supposed to be nice and we plan to do a little sightseeing. She returns to Morocco on the 5th, but will leave here on the 2nd to visit with her son in Atlanta before flying back.
That is a nice gift for your secretary. I hope she has a blast.
Thanks for the OT, and a happy new year one and all!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
The woman has sort of a shady history
but how could she possibly be worse than Zelenskiy?
I just wonder if Biden wants a peace agreement ahead of elections, or if the huge money dump he spent on Ukraine will be slug around like shit in his face during the run up to November.
Interesting times, Cass.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Good evening, LO!
Enjoy your time with your sister, and I hope she enjoys the truly dramatic change of scenery from Morocco to the lush and green homestead. It may take her a while not to get up to listen to the call to prayer, but be patient with her! Lol! Maybe visit a zoo, let her spend time looking at camels.
I have never had much strength. Simple things, like bringing in groceries, peeling a potato, opening a jar, have been difficult for me all my life, but I see the weakening of my body is proceeding at a fast pace. I will not do pilates or go to a gym, but making it a point to walk 15 minutes 4 or 5 times a week is easy to fit into my schedule. Nobody can avoid aging, excluding suicide, but it can be more gradual, if we make an effort. I have been doing a bit of yard work, but that is at best a seasonal activity. When summer comes, I can barely walk a 1/2 block from my office to the courthouse.
Enjoy some sightseeing and be sure to post some Morocco pictures if your Sis shares some with you.
Take care, friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I don't normally make resolutions
but last year I made a new years resolution to be a better Catholic by give up something for Lent. When Lent rolled around I gave up my new years resolution.
I'm great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all at the same time.
Perfect accomplishment
SP! Congratulations!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
New Year's Resolutions
After two unplanned hospitalizations last year, mine was to stay out of that place. I still have 2 1/2 days to go. Been having a lot of stomach issues. Probably stress related. Next year I have got to have the dreaded knee replacement. Either that or get a wheelchair. It's really affecting my ability to get around, especially at the grocery store.
All this cold is hard on my joints. Last summer it was too hot to go outside. Now it's too cold. I need to find a place with a nice balmy 70 degrees year-round.
No need to dread the knee replacement
Mine are doing fabulous. I had completely forgotten about them until you mentioned it.
The stress may be coming from that dread resulting in the tummy problems.
Hope this helps.
Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.
you must have had a good surgeon
took me about 6 months to get over my hip replacement
they gave me a 15 year warranty, coming up on that now
slowly getting back to the original issues (pain and mobility)
will never go thru that again, bionics be damned
question everything
@earthling1 Glad to hear that.
Glad to hear that. Almost everyone I've talked to have had good results with the knee surgery. I've been told to do the exercises as soon as possible for the best results. I need to get a shot in my sciatic nerve first. I'm aiming for March. That way I can walk in the woods before the weather gets too hot.
Can't stress enough
the importance of getting back on that knee a hour so after surgery.
And Physical Therapy.
When the pain begins to wane, know that it's going away for good.
Best of luck and have a great New Year with pain-free knees.
Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.
Let me know where that balmy weather
is so I can join you there.
Our cold weather is rarely very cold. Often just a few days here and there. I am ok in it, but it is the summers here that I simply cannot function in normally. I actually burned my hands opening my car door, grabbing the steering wheel, at least twice this summer. Young people working outdoors were dropping dead from heat stroke this past summer.
I am sorry to hear about your health issues! I am to the point where I would only go via ambulance. As long as I have some say it in, hospitals absolutely suck. At least you got released and made it back home!
I have had acquaintances get through knee replacement like it was no big deal, while a few others had some very serious post-surgery problems. I think an important aspect of it is the quality of the rehab facility and the physical therapist. It was the pt that screwed up one of my good friends and she put his life in danger.
I wish you all the best with your surgery. Wheelchairs suck, too.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
@on the cusp Last summer was so hot
Last summer was so hot that every time I went outside I couldn't breathe. I've got arthritis in every joint in my body. From my neck to my toes. If it wasn't for typing my hands would probably be curled up. I used to type over 80 wpm on one of those old selectrics. I'm sure you remember those with the spinning wheel.
I think I need to move to Bali or Tahiti to find that balmy weather. Now all I need to do is to win one of those big lottery jackpots.
Let's add arthritis to the list
of things that suck.
I know what the head to toe arthritis feels like, except the two bouts I had with it were symptoms of another problem. One bout lasted about 15 years, and was due to liver disease. Once my liver started to regain function, the arthritis disappeared. Decades later, I suffered with it for about 7 years after I contracted Parvo B-19 on my trip to China.
Some friends rely on cbd and/or cannabis to control the pain. Neither were an option when I needed it.
It is almost 5pm. Happy Hour. Some "vegetable juice" seems appropriate to get me accustomed to my resolution.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Still completing my list
Working on number one. Could take awhile.
Nice bonus to your secretary.
Thanks for the OT.
Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.
Take your time.
Vague resolutions work best for me. Like, setting a specific weight loss goal puts one under pressure, whereas, resolving to not gain much weight gives some wriggle room.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I'm a lot better
at postdicting, but anyway:
1) I predict Biden will be forced to step aside sometime before the convention, citing health and family reasons. Gov Whitmer will be pressured to step up to take his place as another colorful Chicago Dem Convention chaotically scrambles to find a winner and as many delegates find Gov Newsom a bit too French Laundry for the masses.
2) I predict the 14th Am sec 3 will become a live issue among the great unwashed, while the Supreme Ct issues a ruling that greatly upsets many unwashed and washed.
3) I predict the country will be even more divided following a very contentious and controversial 2024 election, with Civil War 2.0 becoming a real possibility and a Disunited States of several separate regions being the outcome.
4) I predict a quiet agreement will be reached between Ukr and Ru which greatly favors the latter, while the US intensifies planning for another disastrous scheme to undermine Putin to be undertaken in the next R or D neocon-friendly administration.
5) I predict I will still struggle to convince a certain ill-informed person in this household that Marilyn Monroe was not the simple-minded sleep-around she would have her be, and that her last home in Brentwood is worth preserving for historical reasons. Amazing the things we argue about around here.
I am with you on No Biden.
However, the Demwits are so stupid and so out of touch, it remains a question mark on the replacement. I would not be surprised to see Her foisted upon us...again.
About 14th sec. 3, seems the lower courts can call out a tweet or email calling an election result bull shit as treasonous, when election watch groups from the UN say the elections in the US are full of fraud. I would hate to have to depend on the House and Senate vote to keep me in politics. We shall see.
The election will divide us, and we will be as close to civil war as we have come since 1860.
Putin will be satisfied with the peace agreement. The next crew of neocons will work around the clock to get him gone. How we have resisted an old fashioned assassination attempt is beyond me.
Well, do not come to blows about MM. Be patient. The truth will out one day.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Good afternoon otc. "So you say you want a resolution,
well you know..."
I avid NY resolutions, but sometimes make ad hoc ones in reaction to some avoidable disaster brought on by my own action or inaction, of the "damn that was stupid, how about I never do that again, eh" ilk. I sometimes then formulate rituals or habits to prevent said behavioral malfunction and get on with things.
Sometimes reality also provokes them. My physical therapist told me that my most pressing concern at all times should be "don't fall down", so that is now on my to don't list.
Have a great weekend and happy new year.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
don't do lists
interesting concept
short list:
don't do drugs: oops
don't do political blogs: ah well
don't do societal pressures: working on that one
don't do something stupid: hey, how would you know unless you try?
question everything
Not hard to not do drugs
but the rest of those...hoo, boy!
I try not to impulse buy clothes, but I do not try hard enough. My vast wardrobe is a thing of legend. And, so what did Dear One do? He bought me a jacket. I bought a pair of boots to match. But QMS, I need a skirt and a dress to match it. I NEED to buy them, otherwise, my Christmas gift is not given its' proper justice.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Lol!
I came up with a couple more resolutions: 1. I will make more time in my schedule for house keeping. 2. I will travel when I can.
I don't think these will add any particular pressure, as the standards are not that high.
I lost count on how many times I have broken a bone in a damn fall. And I am short, low to the ground!
So, Don't Fall, Mister. Dammit.
Now, don't get into a brawl at the beer joint celebrating New Year's Eve. Hangovers are best addressed at home.
Have some fun and stay upright and safe, friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
My new year resolutions goes as well as my daily plans
.
I wake up thinking about what I plan to do today and then the pain becomes unbearable and those plans go out the window.
Thank gawd for Sam! It’s why those 2 months after Charlie died were so hard…. I had no dawg to live for…until I was looking forward to Sam coming to be with me.
The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists.
~Hannah Arendt
My resolution added this evening was that
I resolved to travel when I can. Lots of wriggle room. Pain means "can't". Court schedule means "can't". But when I CAN, look out!
You have been so fortunate to grab up a great dog. The best plan you can make is to enjoy her. Anything else is gravy.
I hope your pain hits a low level this weekend, and that you can have some fun celebrating the New Year with my client!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Ex-hunters should take up silhouette shooting for withdrawal
Take up smallbore cowboy rifle silhouette which uses .22 bullets. Basically shooting at metallic representations of various animals. I have only seen small bore shooting but I understand using bazookas may still be allowed.
These ex-hunters
do not miss it. It is some moment in their lives when it dawns on them the killing was for thrill, for adrenaline rush, and it just so happened, it produced food.
They will never pick up a gun and kill an innocent animal again. They would have to be starving to do it again.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Just a simple
and deeply appreciated 'thank you' to you both, and enduring fun and wellbeing to all.
Cool songs, janis b!
You stay well and enjoy Paradise!
Have a great weekend, a Happy New Year!
We will get through the hard times to come with lots of community effort!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Thank you
True community takes little effort here, and is quite a gift.
Cheers