See that boy with that guitar

He's got skinny legs like I always wanted

A girlfriend in his car 'cause he's got

Skinny legs like I always wanted

Sister look at me again

You'd love me if I were as skinny as him

— Lyle Lovett, “Skinny Legs”

When I’m writing an article, the first 500 words always feel like the most difficult. But if I push through, keep coming back and banging out another graph or two, I blink and the next thing I know, I’m approaching 2500 words.

My wife is a runner, as in marathons. She always used to say that no matter how far you’re going, the first few miles are always the hardest, the most painful. After that, it eases up a bit.

Likely a result of euphoria caused by pain, but so what. Whatever works.

It’s going to be a difficult 15 months until the election. The fear mongering is taking place on both sides. The RW media ecosystem is going to be ginning up hate and fear, while the liberals are running in circles saying the sky is falling. None of this is based in fact—just fear.

I don’t feel like fighting with EVERYONE for the next year and change. I get one vote. I’m not in a swing state. Money isn‘t the answer.

Paralyzing fear isn’t superior to quiet confidence.

I’m not talking about comments I get on here for the most part. I mean the public comments made directly on the article on whatever platform that is.

This will sound obvious and maybe even a bit naive, but the wider audience I get from articles I write, the less interest I have in reading, let alone responding to, any of the comments. I know we’re all supposed to be searching for “engagement” but frankly, I really don’t give a shit what most people think. I don’t mean people with good intentions. I’m talking about the world of people who just want to argue with you. No thanks.

There is nothing social for me about media.

Comedian is the only identity a comedian should have. I really don’t care about the rest of your identity. It won’t make you special if you’re not funny.

Just be funny. No one cares about the rest.

My sister lives in Orlando. She was talking about me and my wife coming to visit. I really don’t want to visit Florida if I don’t have to. I don’t want to do anything to help promote or support that state.

Fuck the Orlando Magic. Fuck Ron DeSantis and anyone who gives him a brass farthing.

The Floridians should do something about that.

nostr:npub1xsymv0rcpcxj360a5274hx2l8d46lhfrz82w0ra3e0kneqkwkxysyxcevg It’s certainly easy enough to imagine many horrible possibilities. I just don’t think they’re highly likely. It’s much easier to be pessimistic and assume the worst. I see this more from people OUTSIDE the US. What do you have to lose than to expect the worst?

But for those of us on the ground, I think it’s different. I was at a party a few weeks ago. I’d guess nearly all of them were Republicans and voted for Trump. I don’t think they’re ready to kill me next time they see me.

Before the 2020 election, all the Maga-types were telling me that I was going to be so shocked and disappointed with the election results. That I was out of touch and had no idea what was coming.

“We’ll see,” I told them. “Come talk to me after the election.”

Well, they’re back. Telling me that Trump has the support of the country and is poised to win big. Then I’ll really be sorry.

I predict he loses worse than before.

The bubbles are strong in this country.

#TheOnion

We were sold a big lie, taught that democracy was powerful, and that our system of government was epic in its genius because of a structure of checks and balances that kept anyone from gaining too much power. We became enamored with our own magnificence and, like Smaug, the dragon in The Hobbit, began to think of ourselves as invulnerable. It’s easy to believe that it took just one colossal prick to pop that bubble, but in reality, it was a long time coming. https://medium.com/rome-magazine/forgive-them-for-they-know-not-what-they-do-898f238d9ac1

Anyone watching this crazy #Phillies game?

A very nice hotel I’ve frequented in Phoenix is emailing me trying to convince me to visit this summer. Low rates and all.

They’ve had over 30 consecutive days where the temp has been 110º or higher. A vacation on the sun is not my idea of a good time.

I spent a week in Dubai in August once. It was 130º and high humidity, which I didn’t even know was possible. I’m all good. Been there. Done that.

It’s like 77º and sunny today. Low humidity.

Leonard Leo, a key architect of the Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority, is now the chairman of Teneo Network, a group that aims to influence all aspects of American politics and culture. https://www.propublica.org/article/leonard-leo-teneo-videos-documents

I don’t believe in the death penalty, but I’m not going to shed any tears for the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter. By almost any moral standard, he deserves to die. I just don’t believe the government has the right to decide life and death.

Good riddance nevertheless.

You don’t hear about a lot of heads of state divorcing while in office.

nostr:npub1vr3wlku85svmy5wg226eul2msldzt6c4j4a7ssce54q9ledmwqgqhknhlg To me the best thing to remember is that nothing is really urgent, not in a break news sort of way. It will all wait, and there’s plenty more where that came from.

There’s A Corner. And Trump Has Backed Us Into It – Life on the Wicked Stage: Act 3 https://warnercrocker.com/2023/08/02/theres-a-corner-and-trump-has-backed-us-into-it/

nostr:npub1q360tzjtz3vep8m9g0akkc27fhcz8mgw6wgu797px9jqx9l9k0fqk3pysa That was fast. No stopping you now.

When do we find out who the six co-conspirators are? A bunch of people must be shitting bricks.