So, it’s September now with Labor Day weekend almost upon us (or already upon a lot of us, judging by the lack of people in the office today). It was a rather crisp 41 degrees here this morning. I don’t know if that’s the coldest it’s been since our alleged “summer” began, but it felt pretty goddamn cold to me. So cold that, though I hated to do it, I decided to wear my dungaree jacket this morning. I thought I’d regret it as the day warmed up (which isn’t going to be by much), but it’s f*cking freezing (or I, at least, and freezing) here in the office, so I’m actually wearing it now. I just wish I had some mittens with me.
Unfortunately, I’m really not feeling so great today. Freezing to death is just one thing – I’ve had a headache for a couple of days now, and I’m just feeling not altogether right today. Hopefully that’ll get better when I leave, but my throat feels kind of scratchy and my nose has been drippy. And my head aint right (more – or maybe less – than usual).
It’s pretty astonishing what’s going on down there in Texas. Looks like we’re going to get some rain from it even all the way up here – though of course nothing near what those poor folks are dealing with.
And now hurricane Irma is on the way to the Atlantic Coast. Last I heard, it may or may not hit anywhere from the Caribbean, Florida, the Carolinas, or not at all. You never really know which way these things will head, so I’m sure everybody on the Atlantic Coast has one eye on the radar map at this point.
Again, up here, the worst we’ll ever get is a lot of rain (though it’ll be measured in inches, not feet). That’s one of the benefits of living in an inconsequential little town in the middle of nowhere – no hurricanes, rarely any tornadoes, and no earthquakes (maybe a little window rattler every 20 years or so, but nothing you’d notice if you’re asleep or in the shower). Yeah, it snows a little, which can be a pain in the ass, but is rarely destructive. And if it comes down to it, you can just hang out and watch teevee (or even read a book or two) until it melts.
Still, much as I prefer a little Lake Effect snow (or even a Nor’easter) to a hurricane, the chill in the air and the thought of winter coming (and everything it brings with it, like seemingly perpetual darkness and White Walkers) is kind of depressing. Especially knowing that (once again) I failed to accomplish even a fraction of my summer “must do” list, and now have to move on to thinking about (if not actually doing) accomplishing all my pre-winter chores.
Speaking of annoying but not particularly destructive (to anybody but themselves), it’s the season opener for SU football tonight. If you want tickets, don’t worry. There should be plenty available (cheap).
A rather long recent (and not so recent) history of losing seasons combined with what is not exactly a “name” opponent in Central Connecticut State, the start of Labor Day weekend, the NY State Fair, and the fact that the game is being broadcast on lo-cal teevee all combine for less than stellar ticket sales.
Sometimes I wonder why they even bother to open the season on this weekend (or at least at home). But if you believe all the experts, it should at least be an easy win (I’ve seen too many SU football games in my time to take much for granted, personally) and there aren’t likely to be many of those (easy or otherwise) this season. So maybe I’ll watch for a bit.
That is, if this crappy day ever ends.
Everybody stay dry and enjoy the weekend.
It is maybe the hottest day since I moved to NoCal in 1973, tomorrow to be worse. I cannot complain. The situation in South Asia and Harvey. I guess I could fret because this is known as earthquake weather here. New Orleans already has an Irma, the Soul Queen so that storm can just take its bidness elsewhere.
Of course I have to cynically note how the state most eager to sedede and pay no taxes is rushing to the gubment teat and you know those people will be very demanding and whiny and the folks down there who need the most help will get the least and have little or nothing on which to fall back (see Katrina) and those damn yankees who wanted all of that ‘pork’ after Sandy when they have all of the money in the first place. Also, the sooner we can speed up the deportations, less need. 45 will turn over DACA just to scare Harvey victims from seeking help they deserve.
And y’all know that Harvey Howdy! volunteerism and contributions along with 45’s $1M head fake will make it easier to cut those corporate and wealthy people’s tax cuts look a lot more marketable after we get past this patch of bad luck.
Remember, honour Labour!
Walter Becker, Steely Dan Co-Founder, Dead at 67
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted guitarist’s partnership with Donald Fagen yielded classic LPs like ‘Aja,’ ‘Katy Lied’ and ‘Pretzel Logic’
Just saw that. A shame. And too young.
So, Sansa was here, and she brought her new puppy, too.
Bob Dylan & Joan Baez – Deportee (1976) by diapaata
I can’t believe we’re fighting about healthcare again. These horrible Rethugs are intent on giving me an ulcer. I have to convince my brother in law to get his Canadian citizen ship together.
Here I am fighting a war on slugs. I have always hated the scuzzy creatures but this year they seem to be more plentiful and more brazen. I took one neighbor’s advice and poured salt on a slug. The slug began to ooze mucous and I, gagging, decided to deal with it in the morning, by which time the slime had become rock hard. I couldn’t sweep it off the deck or shovel it off. I finally poured water on it and the mess washed away easily. I’ll never do that again. The next neighbor suggested beer traps. I bought a can of beer and put it in a tray on the deck. Next morning there were several dead slugs. But what do you do with a plastic tray of dead slugs. They do not become more appealing in this state.
But, never having liked them I really paid them little attention. Now I know they come out at night and their slime is water soluble so rain keeps them away. Two nights ago I turned on the hose and washed them off the deck.
Does anyone know anything about getting rid of them?
All I’ve ever heard is the salt thing, but I’ve never had any personal experience with trying to get rid of them.
I see a 2-pack of canned escargot goes for like $30 at Amazon, so maybe you should just get out there with some Tupperware and supplement your income. You could make up a frame with hardware cloth at the bottom and hose them off the deck and into that, and then sell them to Whole Foods or something.
Or spraypaint them white and sell them as iSnails. Should be able to triple the price.
Do you think Whole Foods could be fooled into thinking they were preshelled snails ?
Before Amazon bought them, maybe. Now, I don’t know if being owned by Jeff Bezos makes them smarter or dumber. Though he kinda looks like a pre-shelled snail.