G+ Migration Blog

Flailing in frustration. We had a junior/senior English elective available called ‘the bible as literature’ at my high school and that’s exactly what it was. Not religion other than context of versions of it in English. Not some stealth indoctrination. This crap is a bald faced attempt to move Sunday school and parochial and private religious instruction, complete with bias of choice, into the public schools. Public schools are not the place for your religious political agenda. Which is clearly not America as envisioned by the founders since they knew what interwoven religious institutions as temporal powers and authorities had caused in Europe. https://www.wivb.com/news/national/trump-backs-push-for-bible-classes-in-schools/1734080748 https://www.wivb.com/news/national/trump-backs-push-for-bible-classes-in-schools/1734080748

The avalanche proceeds apace. A chunk of the side from before fell off as visible in the first pic. Now, there’s a huge overhang directly over the icicles and the big front window. What could go wrong? #upindaUPeh

It would seem I was incorrect and we are temporarily living in the UP. Those are snow coated icicles up to 3-4 feet long and maybe 1.5 foot deep by something like 5-7 feet out overhang of snow. It’s a corner I couldn’t reach yesterday with the snow rake. Although it also didn’t look like this. High winds and frigid temps create avalanche hazards. On your roof.

Rofls in possibly questionable taste. My dad is so weak now that sometimes he can’t talk. My mom asked me this morning, “What does this mean?” while gesturing. She then explained that my dad had made the gesture at her early this morning and she figured it meant he wanted her to stop but she didn’t know American Sign Language and she’s pretty sure he didn’t, either. The gesture was the T hand gesture for a technical foul in basketball. Lol. He’s refereeing my mom.

Had to get out the roof rake. So I guess it kind of is like the UP. Except we’re warmer. Where warmer is relative to Mars.

As long as he doesn’t give it the Hobbit treatment 😠😒 https://www.npr.org/2019/01/30/689961544/peter-jackson-to-direct-documentary-on-the-beatles-recording-let-it-be https://www.npr.org/2019/01/30/689961544/peter-jackson-to-direct-documentary-on-the-beatles-recording-let-it-be

Chermoula crusted mahi (otherwise baked in a little olive oil) with ras el hanout chickpeas. Dollop of toum on the side.

Congrats? https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/record-cold-chicago-505085342.html https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/record-cold-chicago-505085342.html

Guess it’s a good thing I went out when I did. https://twitter.com/NWSBUFFALO/status/1090718713786089474?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet https://twitter.com/NWSBUFFALO/status/1090718713786089474?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Hey, Whole Foods is open! Which I know because I was driving my car around to make sure the battery stayed charged, since it started. So I got coffee. Meanwhile, the road and further that direction on one side was all gray, clouds, blizzard winds and blowing snow. The road and further that direction on the other side was all sunny and clear. Weather, man.

Beatings will continue until morale improves. What an ass. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/polar-vortex-kentucky-matt-bevin-schools-closed.amp https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/01/polar-vortex-kentucky-matt-bevin-schools-closed.amp

You crazy overachievers, you. http://digg.com/2019/us-canada-colder-than-mars http://digg.com/2019/us-canada-colder-than-mars

FINE. I’ll put on my SNOWPANTS so I am neither maimed nor killed digging out a path to the door. Ugh. I feel like the little brother in ‘A Christmas Story’.

In the spirit of some of your posts, this was actually running through my brain as I snowblew/shoveled/salted yesterday. P.S. It’s ironic. :P https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hjNPnVJlS5k https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hjNPnVJlS5k

#stillsnowing #lakeeffect I mean, this is a normal lake effect event, so nothing insane like the UP. Official totals shouldn’t be above 2 feet or so, but that polar vortex business (#blameCanada) is not a welcome addition. Granted we will go nowhere near the rest of the Great Lakes and Midwest in miserably Kelvin scale temps. 3 days of this. Woo.

Ah, yes. We are now in the travel ban/travel advisory zone. Which one depends where specifically you are or are traveling. #lakeeffect

Lest you think I am indulging only in deliciously unhealthy food, dinner last night was sautéed flounder and julienned veggies in a lemon butter sauce, although it was mostly olive oil with a tiny bit of butter to finish. It would have been lemon caper butter sauce but I forgot to check if I had capers.

Take that, winter. I dubbed this ‘the iceberg’. Mint chip ice cream, mint and chocolate sauces, whipped cream, and chopped nuts, because icebergs are bigger below and always a little dirty but a minty chill. #adulting

Today’s episode brought to you by: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P_4uEaZQ2Kg https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P_4uEaZQ2Kg

The cover of Italian Doge.

Kawaii dog.

This was the inside of a light bulb. It used to be inside a fixture above a shower. Good news: I am not hurt. Bad news: calling electrician on a Friday afternoon.

Blast from the past. https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/01/the-linux-of-social-media-how-livejournal-pioneered-then-lost-web-blogging/ https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2019/01/the-linux-of-social-media-how-livejournal-pioneered-then-lost-web-blogging/

Because you will see nothing cuter than this today.

I caught the end of Anderson Cooper's show and part of the beginning of Don Lemon's while channel flipping. Don Lemon's expression and Anderson Cooper's face + gesture just, wow. I mean, that was a harsh and I would otherwise have said a journalistically uncharacteristic takedown of Kellyanne Conway by Cooper. Also damn funny as a satire. But I don't want to live in the timeline where Anderson Cooper is played by Peter Sellers.

The Onion? Not the Onion? Someone please confirm. P.S. The front is wittier than the back (pretty sure it says "Shut Happens"). https://twitter.com/jaketapper/status/1088207366187823106

Tribble.

I was trying to decide what I thought about this genital size contest Trump predictably refused all advice not to pursue. Pretty much I was thinking that Speaker Pelosi is knowledgeable and confident and that Congress, under GOP and Dems alike (I mean, mostly GOP) has slid down a slope of not performing their duty to be a co-equal branch of government, and a check on the Executive branch. And that there would be some, idk, justice? irony? in not only having the Dems be the ones that finally put their foot down and acted like a grown up Congress, but that it was under the leadership of a woman. Because that would matter anyhow, but in this timeline it matters so much more. I'm not sure this is everything I think, but I'm pretty sure it's the general bent.

World’s worst photo of frozen super blood wolf moon. In person it’s reddish, as are the clouds, which is funky. Also, it’s minus 3, -17 wind chill, and I am not dressed to stay outside for an hour and try to get a better picture. Sad face.

Lol. Rubber ducky, you’re the one. https://pottyduck.com https://pottyduck.com

Well, Kansas tried.

I am wearing long underwear. Like, just wearing it because temps even more dropping. And I am not even in Minnesota. So confused.

Oh holy sheets. My brother is mansplaining direct injection to my sister. She and I are trying not to look at each other because we’re both about to lose it laughing.

CNN says Mueller team says Buzzfeed is wrong. So I guess we’re in the timeline where it turns out life is junior high/middle/high school forever.

Um so my sister’s shih tzu (Carter) has a new friend. A papillon with a Napoleon complex named Ender. Yes, I have made several annoying puns.

I don’t buy many razors but this stupid boycott will make me buy Gillette if there’s a product that I need. https://www.fastcompany.com/90293402/gillette-responds-to-the-backlash-against-its-woke-viral-ad https://www.fastcompany.com/90293402/gillette-responds-to-the-backlash-against-its-woke-viral-ad

Promoted as, and I quote, "Celebrity Viking Bankers, Macho Medievalism & Iceland's Crisis of Runaway, Unregulated Capitalism ..." Sounds much more exciting than "The Literature of the Icelandic Financial Crisis". Personally, I hope there's a bit about Whooping Llamas and a nod to Ralph, the Wonder Llama. I fully expect if it's thorough there will definitely be exploding Range Rovers ( https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102119511 ). https://punctumbooks.com/titles/utrasarvikingar-the-literature-of-the-icelandic-financial-crisis-2008-2014/ https://punctumbooks.com/titles/utrasarvikingar-the-literature-of-the-icelandic-financial-crisis-2008-2014/

smol laugh (text of tweet below since I am incapable of figuring out how to link it properly). I don't know if this helps, but if you're someone with impostor syndrome, please know that I'm really impressed with how beautifully you're pulling it off & I have complete confidence that not only are you going to continue to get away with it, you deserve to get away with it. https://twitter.com/haszombiesinit/status/1084909489894146050 https://twitter.com/haszombiesinit/status/1084909489894146050

Apropos of Zeynep Dilli's post, can you have a frozen 'super blood wolf moon'?

Interesting guy. https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/investing/john-bogle-obituary/index.html https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/investing/john-bogle-obituary/index.html

Something something kissing a frog etc. They are close to extinction, apparently. They are kind of cute, though, they look all smiley in their photos. https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/health/frog-romeo-lonely-mate-trnd/index.html https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/health/frog-romeo-lonely-mate-trnd/index.html

NOOOoooooo! https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/health/coffee-species-extinction-climate-study-trnd/index.html https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/health/coffee-species-extinction-climate-study-trnd/index.html

Paula’s latest special, the Oreo donut. Chocolate crumb coated white frosting under white angel cream dusted with chocolate crumbs. It’s not bad but it’s not brilliant, either. Honestly, I’d rather have a chocolate frosted chocolate angel cream filled donut. If I was going for chocolate and angel cream. Now, if they want to take one of their chocolate cake donuts, slice it in half, fill it with white angel cream, frost it with chocolate and a curlicue of white frosting and call it Hostess, well, that has the seeds of brilliance.

Ion, why didn’t I notice Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus is straight up in the Lion King soundtrack, albeit minimally modified?

Mission accomplished. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/01/16/politics/pence-isis-defeated/index.html https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/01/16/politics/pence-isis-defeated/index.html

Working as intended. Indoctrinate ‘em young. https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/arts-entertainment/2019/01/16/school-that-hired-karen-pence-requires-applicants-disavow-gay-marriage-trans-identity/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/arts-entertainment/2019/01/16/school-that-hired-karen-pence-requires-applicants-disavow-gay-marriage-trans-identity/

They’re not my favorite creatures, but this is sad. https://www.npr.org/2019/01/07/682908544/george-reclusive-hawaiian-snail-and-last-of-his-kind-dies-at-14 https://www.npr.org/2019/01/07/682908544/george-reclusive-hawaiian-snail-and-last-of-his-kind-dies-at-14

I honestly did not know she was still alive. Amazing and unique person and personality. https://www.google.com/amp/s/thegrapevine.theroot.com/broadway-legend-carol-channing-dies-at-97-proud-as-can-1831773851/amp https://www.google.com/amp/s/thegrapevine.theroot.com/broadway-legend-carol-channing-dies-at-97-proud-as-can-1831773851/amp

It would not have occurred to me that the United States was that integral to that much stuff around the world. Like, I just assumed that things like this were set up with multiple or even totally independent stakeholders. This is another way in which the GOP of Trump is utterly destroying our existence in the world. Trump is an ignorant fool. The GOP, otoh, and it’s associated Conservative organizations is/are not. Making us unreliable and undesirable is not a winning strategy for our position of leadership in the world. Big things like military alliances and trade agreements are obvious, but ceding the little and critical stuff is hidden and utterly stupid. The world is not sitting around waiting for us to wake the heck up and get it together. Even if some might give us a second chance there are always political and economic vultures looking for this sort of stupidity opportunity. Not to mention China and Russia. I think the Conservatives have swallowed their own propaganda and are fi...

Unintended puns that are still pretty good: the pan-Canadian pizza effort https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/air-traffic-controller-pizza-1.4976548 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/air-traffic-controller-pizza-1.4976548

70 fucking years. Bastards. And they still won’t exonerate them. Meanwhile, there are so many reasons why all of this should be taught, but this is a loud and clear endorsement of one of them: The path to the pardons began in 2015, when Josh Venkataraman read King’s book in a college history class and started an online petition “Exonerate the Groveland Four.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/history/2019/01/11/years-after-miscarriage-justice-florida-pardons-four-black-men-accused-rape-by-white-woman/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/history/2019/01/11/years-after-miscarriage-justice-florida-pardons-four-black-men-accused-rape-by-white-woman/

Oops. https://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUKKCN1P51U2 https://uk.mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUKKCN1P51U2

Ion, the coffee’s not working. But it’s a sucker bet that it will kick in by bedtime. Because irony.

This, I do not understand. https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/01/11/us/california-joshua-trees-cut-down-during-shutdown-trnd/index.html https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/01/11/us/california-joshua-trees-cut-down-during-shutdown-trnd/index.html

I mean, yeah, it’s not good for them to have human contact but surely something could be done to help them? https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/01/11/seals-roads-seals-driveways-seals-front-doors-canadian-town-faces-marine-invasion/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.fa639a30b0bf https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/01/11/seals-roads-seals-driveways-seals-front-doors-canadian-town-faces-marine-invasion/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.fa639a30b0bf

It always confuses me for a second when they talk about “code blue shelters”. Then I remember they mean it’s cold outside.

It's like women were people - with lives and jobs and not just some appendage for men. Who, as we know, have done all the work throughout history. Certainly everything of importance. Ahem. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/01/the-woman-with-lapis-lazuli-in-her-teeth/579760/ https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/01/the-woman-with-lapis-lazuli-in-her-teeth/579760/

Well, I can definitely see why my mom and I are not on the same page on many things. She thinks “excessive thirst” is the same as “dry mouth” which, no. It wouldn’t even occur to me to equate them. One is drinking a lot or needing or wanting to drink a lot but your mouth feels perfectly moist and fine. The other is when your mouth feels constantly dry, stuck, woolly, like cardboard, etc. You might try sipping water or something because your mouth is dry, but you won’t be drinking ‘excessively’. And that is today’s insight into why my mom and I have communication issues. #csbp

It’s just a cute little bunny ... o.O https://www.inverse.com/article/52305-snowshoe-hare-meat-eating-study https://www.inverse.com/article/52305-snowshoe-hare-meat-eating-study

GOP, party of fiscal responsibility - People who talk about this stuff: if the shutdown continues we will lower the US credit rating and all that that entails. GOP: USA, Build the Wall, Blame the Dems! Party of fiscal responsibility my aunt fanny.

Anderson Cooper actually just raised the idea that Trump is not used to dealing with genuinely independently powerful women. As in it specifically matters that Speaker Pelosi is a woman. Implied in the brief discussion: Trump assumes he can bully women. I find this a reasonable hypothesis. (What he said was a la does gender matter in the maneuvering over the shutdown. Discussion ensued.)

The GOP house members (except 8 of them) voted not to reopen the IRS, among other things today. I am not impressed with their coalition solidarity. How do they expect to collect the money that pays for their salaries and benefits? Or do they figure nobody is going to start repeating the fact that they keep getting paid by law, but can screw over the rest of the country, including the law enforcement, security personnel, and military, none of whom are getting paid but most of whom are expected to keep working for free. You know, the people they like to use for their propaganda but clearly care very little about when it comes to practical things like paying their mortgage or feeding their kids. I guess the honor of serving their communities and country will feed them and keep them warm.

Ugh. Bernie Sanders is giving his own rebuttal somewhere. Dude. You lost. Please stop before you become not just a caricature but a damaging demagogue of a different type.

Man, no junior types giving a rebuttal tonight!

Oh, wow. He has some balls to keep trying to paint the Dems as responsible for this and irresponsible about US security. And we’re back to the same garbage tropes and reality tv prurience for his base. And I’m actually laughing at the melodrama and propaganda in this speech. Except I remember the scene in “Cabaret” and in other documentaries and dramatizations of the rise of fascism pre WWII. And he managed to work in GOD. His base must love him.

Well, that was the fastest rhetorical fail I’ve ever seen. So naturally his base and Fox will eat it up. And I think there are already some outright lies. Nice.

This article is from last month but is sadly ever more relevant. This is being discussed on TV because worst role model in chief is grandstanding again. A mom whose 6 year old has a rare disease that the families banded together to fund a trial to treat was on CNN talking about the fact that it’s not happening because shutdown. Rick Santorum, panel member extraordinaire, who should indeed have the personal experience and expertise to know about being a parent of a child with a rare disease, proceeded to suggest that the FDA could choose to do something about this. And reiterate his support for the potus and his taking a stand on the wall. I guess Santorum thinks we’re being invaded by Mexico and everyone at the FDA should work without pay? I mean, I’m being hyperbolic but come on. So much for compassionate conservatism. https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/science-and-health/2018/1/19/16906610/government-shutdown-2018-nih-cdc-fda-flu-health-clinical-trials https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/...

Jiminy Xmas. I have a chance to turn on the TV and Pence is lying, Trump is making a speech tonight that is so certain to contain lies that there’s been arguments about whether or not the speech should be broadcast by the networks, and I don’t even know what else. 2019 you are not starting well.

We had freezing rain yesterday. Then the temps went into the mid 40s overnight and today so everything melted. Tonight it will drop below freezing and snow so by the early am everything will be a sheet of ice again but now it will be hidden under the snow. Whoever made this plan has clearly not done enough testing and q/a prior to unleashing it on everyone.

Cruella De Vil, Cruella De Vil, If she doesn't scare you No evil thing will ... I spotted this in the store today.

Random positivity pictures - from Thanksgiving, my nephew likes my kiddie dragon snuggy. First, he had it eat my sister head first, then he got eaten by it, then he decided he’d just nap in it.

In an attempt to use some stuff up, I may have accidentally more baked pasta than intended. Also, five kinds of cheese.

The rest of Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio. I’ll only point out a few things: 1) They had indoor plumbing - so posh. 2) They had a phone - more posh. 3) The grand piano in the second floor activity room is installed through a wall, hanging over the staircase. There’s a reason but mostly it’s FLW, that’s why. Ta-da.

Only posting for list of cocktails at end, which amuse me. The other terribleness you can skip. https://www.npr.org/2019/01/02/681453958/unexpected-ways-the-government-shutdown-might-affect-you https://www.npr.org/2019/01/02/681453958/unexpected-ways-the-government-shutdown-might-affect-you

We be landed.

Here we go - we are airborne 😁!

OMG, we left the gate!

The de-icening is happening. We could leave the gate any time in the next hour!

Still on ground. I foresee further delay. Surprise. Maintenance issue fixed, though. Woo.

Oo, a maintenance issue! And de-icing! Yaaay.

We can haz boarded.

The boardening is incipient.

Hanging in the very far end of the airport. Woo. Hoping to board soonly.

Unity Temple. A church built by Frank Lloyd Wright. An early use of concrete as a building material. Japanese influences present along with geometric. Very unique. One pic is of cat paw prints that got into the floor at the time it was poured and they decided to leave them when they restored the building as they were originally there. Very cool building.

Part two: g+ ate a post again so just enjoy the elaborate pretty.

Post one of two of the Cultural Arts Center, a paean to books, knowledge, learning, Carrara marble and glass (mostly) mosaic by Tiffany studios. Originally the Chicago public library, and if I have the story correct built because of a gift of books and stuff from Queen Victoria after the fire, the dome is entirely Tiffany glass and quite large and ornate. The lighting fixtures are also Tiffany. There are quotes all over about reading and learning with many in foreign languages. The ones I snapped were Greek, Hebrew, Farsi, Chinese, and Egyptian hieroglyphics.