Glibertarians.com 2018 Archive

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  • Monday Afternoon Links of Meh

    Happy Monday, ever’body. And an especially happy Monday to me as it is back-to-school for both the wife and children. No, no, I’m not a slightly younger man with candy. My wife is a professional student, although we’ve negotiated that this will be her last educational venture that “we” pay for. After this she has to bring home at least as much money as she spends on school. It has been a remarkably quiet and productive day. Although I did stay up far too late drinking last night. I’m pretty sure my corner of the (brand new with a half-dozen beautiful free-weight lifting platforms!) gym today smelled like a brewery. But hey, the gym is not optional.

    That guy in the parking lot shooting in Florida will be charged with manslaughter. I think this is the right call in this case. The shooter had four previous altercations that involved police, with him being the aggressor. Its unclear to me that someone with a documented history of “looking for trouble”, who initiated a verbal but aggressive and persistent confrontation with a woman shouldn’t face a jury of his peers to arbitrate whether or not he acted reasonably. That said, I’m not convinced that a guilty verdict should be returned. There was at least enough doubt in my mind, and in many others that a trial is probably appropriate.

    Monk takes abusing the bishop too far. Defrocked monk beats Coptic bishop to death. The Copts have enough enemies without killing each other.

    Turn that drone voyeurism hobby into a very lucrative career. Enough to pay your hobby’s legal bills, one hopes.

    The Lancet known for publishing several blockbuster studies that have lowered the efficacy of public health by being fabricated and wrong, goes big with a comparative cost analysis of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and their harms in the US vs. the EU. (Think BPA and birth control in the water). Their hypothesis, which they magically proved, is that the US has higher cost because of less regulation. I think my favorite part is the metric “IQ points lost”. Several, reading this study. Interestingly, they also determined that the cost due to pesticides in the EU was triple the US — which on a per capita basis, I would have guessed Roundup to be far more plentifully sprayed in the US.

    I mean, I think calling them lazy is pretty specist. “Laziness led to extinction of Homo Erectus”.

    Sometimes, your day just needs a kick in the ass.

  • Thoughts on Getting Old

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    By Fourscore (plus one now)

    All of us are getting old(er) but when does it happen? How does it happen? Do we know we are getting old?

    Most of us have had grandparents or parents that we saw growing older and older. We really never thought much about it on a personal level since it wasn’t happening to us. As kids we believed our parents were super people that could do anything, solve any adversity that was thrown at them and always be there for us. We knew Grandpa walked a little slower but still could play golf and catch fish and always seemed to have ice cream money for us.

    We grew up, went off to conquer the world (’til we got married) and then had kids of our own. Suddenly our own parents were grandparents! What the hell is up with that? They must be getting old!

    If they are getting old what does that say about us? When do we or did we get old? Well, I’m gonna relate those things that I experienced, indicators that tell me I’m old on a daily basis.

    The physical changes are subtle but are happening to all of us as I speak. Yeah, you and me. When I was 40 I was playing driveway basketball with my kids, I was still taller and could out rebound them.

    When their friends came over I got to play if the sides were uneven and would sometimes get chosen first (unlike high school). A couple years later my son was taller than I, had better skills and the boys relegated me to my daughter’s team. By my mid 40s it was like, “Hope your Dad isn’t going to play, he screws up too much.”

    Then one day I went to Seattle to work for a few weeks, I found I couldn’t tell the difference from an 1/8 to a 1/4 on a tape measure, what was up with that? In the evenings at the motel I couldn’t read, my arms had gotten too short. A few weeks later I checked into the local optometrist and got my first pair of glasses, it was a miracle! I could see again, I was 47 years old. Along life’s journey my boss made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, if I would stay ’til I was 55 I could retire and enjoy some benefits that we had worked out.

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    My wife and I had bought some rural property earlier and remodeled a rundown cabin. We started building a retirement home two years before retirement, working every weekend, every vacation and every day I could sneak off from work. When the big day came we moved into our home and finished it out, hell, I was a young guy, right, 12 hour days were something I’d grown accustomed to and was no big deal.

    The days went by, growing a big garden, cutting fire wood, the fishing and hunting, traveling. My daughter got married, started making babies and now my wife and I were grandparents, what the hell is up with that? Where did the time go? Then my son got married and divorced before the ink was dry on the marriage license.

    Life was good, until I got a phone call, a classmate had died and the funeral was…. Then another and another. Every few months. I began to look at my friends and classmates more critically, I’m guessing they were looking at me the same way. I was thinking I was still the same person, but the testosterone was telling me different. Some things were NOT the same! Mrs Fourscore started staying up late, TV was more interesting than me. The side effects of the purple pills were as bad as the hangovers I’d had before I quit drinking.

    If one has 2-3 good friends consider yourself lucky. I have my bestie from 3rd grade and two from 9th grade. These are guys that you would loan all the money in your billfold without worrying about getting it back or ever getting it back, and vice versa. I consider myself very lucky and we’re all the same age. A year or two ago I found myself sort of shuffling my feet as I walked outside. I started paying attention and I was dragging at least one foot, not serious but still…. Then I saw one of the boys with the same problem. Another has osteoporosis. I have been falling down a couple times a year, always looking around to see if anyone has seen me ’cause I would be embarrassed.

    My work days are shortened to a couple hours in the morning, couple hours in the afternoon. Bending over cutting firewood with a chainsaw is tougher, running a splitter is in 45 minute spurts. Dressing out a deer requires having a tree nearby to help me stand up. We’ve been doing flyin fishing trips to Ontario for the past 21 years, after this last one in June we had to admit we’re just not able to do it anymore. The drive is 9 hours, getting in and out of the boat is difficult and dangerous. It doesn’t hold the mystique that previous years have had.

    I only have one prescription pill, a beta blocker that regulates my heart. I run 44-48 BPM, even after exercise I can only make about 60 BPM and is quickly restored back to normal. I use an 81 mg aspirin, any slight scratch or cut bleeds profusely. A calcium and vitamin round out my pill popping.

    I’ve had a few surgeries, hernias, varicose veins, 25 years ago had a bone growth removed from my heel. A few years ago I developed a sticky trigger finger and had it repaired, two years later same problem other hand. BTW these would not have been done with single payer, while the fingers were painful and annoying it was not life threatening. Had cataract surgery, resulted in no improvement in vision. A couple years ago I was having deteriorating vision problems, many check ups, new glasses, consultations. The prognosis was not good. Then a few months ago I got my last prescription and suddenly I could see, read, drive safely, it was finally a usable prescription. I’ll be in my deer stand in November.

    The psychological part of aging is something that preys on my mind. There are no more surprises in life. I don’t worry about my kids (well, OK, I do) but there is nothing I can do. I can’t worry about my grandchildren, they have youth on their side. I’ve outgrown politics by becoming a libertarian many years ago. All politicians look the same to me. Like many others here I am an introvert, took a long time to learn to like myself. My wife and I have structured our assets in a trust, ’cause my family is mostly dysfunctional.

    My two older brothers died 7 years ago, making me the patriarch by default. It’s an easy task, since no one pays attention to me anyway. One older female cousin in bad health, a few younger ones but most with serious health problems. The greatest worry is the mental deterioration. So far, so good.

    We’re having our annual Honey Harvest on Sep 16th. I’m hoping the MN glibs and any local lurkers will attend. All glibs are invited, but unless you are in the area it’s not worth the effort. We will spin out the honey, eat lunch, tell lies and we’re family friendly.

    As someone who sees his sphere of friends dwindling and mobility increasingly becoming a problem, I am truly grateful to those running this site and all those who contribute to making my days a little brighter. I have a lot of new friends that I’ve never met.

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  • Monday Morning Links

    The Astros are slumping a bit.  Dropping 4 in a row has the AL West competitive. Thank God Seattle is leaving town. Boston beat Baltimore, who is now effectively 50 games back in their division, a number I don’t think I’ve ever seen.  New York and Cleveland are safe in their respective wild card and division leader positions. So the west is where all the action will be coming down the stretch.  Over on the Senior Circuit, the Braves and Phils are tied for the east lead, the Cubs are 3 up on the Brewers in the central, with St Louis also surging and the D-backs are up a game on LA, with Colorado right there in the mix another half game back.  Not to mention the wild card race is extremely tight.  So that entire side of the ledger is gonna be fun to watch the next five weeks.

    Your EPL winners and draws for the week were: drew Southampton and Burnley and Everton and Wolves. Winners were Man United, Spurs, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Chelski, Watford, Man City and the Liverpool Reds hammered the Hammers 4-0.

    Lastly, Brooks Koepka won his third major, snatching the PGA Championship, where Tiger Woods finally made me say I think h will win another major at some point over the next couple of years by playing four solid rounds and coming in second. He’ll still never be Jack or Bobby (in no particular order, ok?), but its looking like he’s back.

    One of, if not the, best ever

    Wild West sharpshooter Annie Oakley was born on this date.  She shares its with such famous and infamous people as arguably-the-best-director-ever Alfred Hitchcock, golf great Ben Hogan, murderous scumbag Fidel Castro, musician Don Ho, money manipulator Janet Yellin, hockey goon Bobby Clarke, loved/hated golf presenter David Feherty, “actor”/”musician” Danny Bonaduce, the greatest darts player ever Phil Taylor, rocker Ian Highland, and singer Dan Fogelberg.

    Its also the day on which Cortez ended the Aztec Empire by capturing Cuahtemoc, Voltaire’s “Zaire” premiered, the Bayreuth Festspielhaus opened with eh first complete performance of Wagner’s Ring Cycle (which I would like to see someday at the festival), Ataturk was installed as the first Turkish president, “Bonnie and Clyde” hit theaters, Jim Palmer threw a no-hitter, IE 3.0 was released, and the first episode of South Park aired.

    Did you get all that?  I hope so, because I’m already past it and on to…the links!

    Arr your chirren are berong to me!

    North and South Korea announce third round of peace talks for next month in Pyongyang, as end of decades-long war is in sight. But don’t expect the media to give credit to anyone besides Kim and Moon.

    Just in case you were dumb enough to believe Google wasn’t using tracking services on your android devices even when you turn them off, you can put that delusion to rest.  They track you in a very specific violation of your settings and in gross violation of your confidence, meanwhile they ban Alex Jones for violating the terms of service.  Seems legit.

    This is apparently the good kind of media silencing.

    Political leaders silencing the media is a bad thing, isn’t it?  Then how come this isn’t getting mention anywhere outside the NY Post? Oh, right…because talking about it might not serve the purpose the media wants.

    The saying starts “the wheels of justice turn slow”.  Sometimes they turn at 70 mph. But I’d imagine they still ground pretty fine.

    Of course we’re entrapping people. Its what we do!

    Chicago officials apologize after entrapment scheme outed.  Can somebody ask them the difference here and in setting up people by having cops poses as hookers or underage kids online? Because nobody seems to care about those.

    Transparency is for the little people. So is justice, apparently.

    More protests against migrants across Europe. I guess that’s what you get for joining the EU and ceding your sovereignty to Brussels.

    Here you go, 80s rockers.

    Have a wonderful start to your week, friends!

  • Swiss Code Links

    No, nod a computer code, or encryption…a code in my nose. Yes, I am using these. I hate summer codes.

    Swiss people IN the code.

    SEA SMITH was in the rotation tonight, but he heard I was sick and he said “NO GO NEAR CONTAGIOUS LAND HOOMAN!” I think he just snuck off to hang out with NINGEN.

    BLOOP!

     

    So here are your links, with very little fanfare:

    1. I don’t think that anyone is going to be prosperous on the Bosporus any time soon.
    2. HerToo#? Aren’t we supposed to BelieveHer# always, Keith?
    3. I am curious if this incident will have much of an effect on Emirates Airlines – a major European sports sponsor.

    Hab ad it, I am going to bed.

     

  • Bacon Two Ways (A two part series)

    I mean come on, it’s bacon. You want a good reason to hate on Joos, Mooslims and vegetarians/vegans? They don’t eat pork, which means they don’t eat bacon. In this two part series, we’ll go through the process of creating two glorious versions of pork belly, smoked bacon and Pancetta.

    Today we do bacon. To start with, we need some fresh pork belly (also called pork sides). We have Cash & Carry here, which carries good quality products at reasonable prices. What you want to look for when making bacon, is a slab that is 2/3 meat to 1/3 fat. I find half bellies work best for me.

    What we need next is to calculate the proper amount of Cure #1 (pink salt), salt and sugar. Cure #1 contains 6.25% of Nitrite, with the rest being Sodium Chloride. The FDA guidelines for Cure #1 & 2 is 1.1gm per pound. This is approximately 1tsp per five pounds of meat. A great way to figure out your quantities is to use a cure calculator. The best one I know of is the one on the Digging Dogs Farm website. Do yourself a favor and purchase a decent scale that will do small quantities. This is the one I use:

    AMIR Digital Mini Scale, 200g

    Buy the 100gm calibration weight too.

    A note on Sodium Nitrite and Nitrate:

    Unless you’re eating quantities of cured meats on a regular basis, you may rest easy when it comes to the bogeyman that is Nitrites/Nitrates.

    “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), your daily intake of sodium nitrate shouldn’t be more than 3.7 milligrams per kilo of body weight.”

    For someone weighing 150 pounds, that equates to .25gm. A five pound slab of bacon contains .34gm of pure Nitrite.

    Sodium Nitrite is commonly known as Cure #1 and is typically used for meats that only undergo short term curing, usually two weeks or less. Sodium Nitrate, known as Cure #2 is used for longer curing meats such as salami. The Sodium Nitrate breaks down over time and converts to Sodium Nitrite, basically making it a time release source of Sodium Nitrite.

    Celery juice “substitute”. Yeah, the naturally occurring Sodium Nitrate in celery is chemically converted to Sodium Nitrite, or left as Nitrate. You’re using the same chemical to cure your meat. This is known as “marketing”. To stay  within FDA guidelines, the same quantities of both are used, regardless of source.

    Okay, we used the calculator, we measure out our curing mix, now we need to add other flavorings, if you so choose. You can use whatever strikes your fancy. I’ve found what works well for me is to add a good amount of black pepper, granulated garlic and ground bay leaves. Mix this all up with your cure and rub it evenly over your rinsed, and dried belly. Rub it in good. At this point, we need to wrap it and let it rest. You can buy 2 gallon zip lock bags, which work very well, or if you have a vacuum sealer that can do large bags, it’s a great option. I think the vacuum sealing results in better penetration of the cure. Next, into the refrigerator for 10-14 days. I like two weeks. I think it produces good flavor and you know your cure has penetrated all the way through. Every couple of days, flip the package over and rub the meat. Liquid will appear in the first few days and then most of it will gradually reabsorb.

    After we’re done curing our belly, it’s time to prep for smoking. Rinse all of the cure and flavorings off the belly and dry it well. Now it needs to go back on a rack in the fridge for 2-4 days. This will allow the surface to dry and form a pellicle, which is a slighty sticky surface the smoke will adhere to. This is also where you can add things like black pepper to turn it into pepper bacon just before smoking.

    Cold smoking versus hot smoking:

    Cold smoking will give you a product with a nice flavor and a finer crisp texture when the bacon is cooked. The bacon will still be raw when it’s done smoking. If you’re going to cold smoke, follow the directions on your smoker. Not all of them are capable of cold smoking. I have a quality electric smoker which allows me to control the conditions quite well, but it does put out a lot of smoke in the beginning, so I’ve had to develop process where I don’t over smoke the bacon, which will result in a product that smells like a campfire. The timing for cold smoking also varies widely. Some are capable of cold smoking for several days. In my situation, it’s about 4-6 hours or else there will be too much smoke.

    Hot smoking is a fine alternative. You will need a temperature probe for your bacon. ThermoWorks and Maverick both make quality probes.

    Follow the directions for your smoker. It should take about four hours at 200 degrees to reach an internal temperature of 150. Don’t get the smoker too hot, or you will start to render out the fat, which is not at all what we want. With hot smoking, the bacon will be fully cooked when it’s done smoking. I most definitely recommend slicing a piece off the end when you bring it inside and stuffing it into your maw for one of the finest bites of porcine known to man.

    Wood choice is up to you. I find a combination of hickory and cherry, or apple gives me the best results. And for those of you who don’t like smoked meats, or don’t have a smoker, bacon doesn’t have to be smoked at all if you so choose. Once you’ve let it dry in the fridge for a few days, slice it up.

    Once the bacon is done, let it rest in the fridge uncovered  for up to a week to allow the smoke to penetrate.

    On to processing. I cut the bacon into four squares and throw them into the freezer. You want the meat close to freezing for slicing. I cut them into pieces because I have a small slicer and it’s easier for packaging. I would recommend buying a slicer better than my cheap Cabela’s pos. I’ll be upgrading in the not too distant future. Cut the bacon to the thickness you like and then package it up. I do eight ounce packages.

    From here, the rest is up to you. I actually don’t eat a lot of bacon as just bacon. More often than not, it’s an ingredient in another dish. As for cooking slices, the best method is on a rack in a 325 degree oven. The way I typically do it is to lay it in a cold skillet and turn the heat onto medium. I keep an eye on it and turn it frequently. Dry on paper towels and enjoy! In our next episode, we will explore making that delectable Italian style bacon known as Pancetta.

    Thanks for looking.

  • I Fucking Love Astrology: The Horoscope for the Week of August 12

    This week, we explore new frontiers in how-late-can-I-submit-something-and-still-make-its-slot?

    If I told you exactly how busy I’ve been, I wouldn’t have time to tell you anything else.   Suffice it to say:  Germans.

     

    Fortunately, this week the skies are pretty straightforward, if not particularly happy.  The big indicator is a FIVE (5!) planet alignment of Sol-MERCURY RETROGRADE-Terra-Luna-Mars(retrograde). None of these are good signs in and of themselves, and when you line them all up together you get bad shit happenin’ yo.  Everything is representing bad change, loss, destruction etc.  There is an interlocked alignment of Sol-Venus-Saturn(retrograde) indicating that part of this general shittiness will be the end of a loving relationship, or (possibly) a bit of pleasant novelty in the rump-pumpy aspect of life.

    Sorry.

    There is one bit of good news; Venus is in Libra.  This means that the second interpretation of the the second alignment is more likely.  Thank Bob for small favors.

    Leo, which had been enjoying niftiness is going to have a week of chaos and general shitstorms, what with MERCURY RETROGRADE and the moon causing havoc.  Huh.  Maybe I’m a week behind in my charts, because if next week is more hectic than this one…  well, it was nice knowing you all.  For the rest of you, DO NOT get a haircut this week.

    Rufus’ life remains stable.

    Jupiter really should be doing something about the general state of the skies, but instead is just vaguely helping out chemo patients in Scorpio.  I guess I can’t really bag on him too much for that.

    TW:  Hipster Porkpie, Trilby Neckbeard, 70’s Drummer, Blonde Asian, (((Redhead))), and Brunette Bassist Babe.  God Bless America.

     

  • Sunday Morning Links for Non-Churchgoers

    Last night was far more successful. It started with a failure, though, with the NFL Network app failing to work for the third night in a row. This was apparently universal, since SP’s search turned up thousands of people complaining and canceling their service. Which we did as well. Instead, we turned to the movie recommendations of everyone not named Mad Scientist or Sloopy, and quickly settled on I’m Alright, Jack, hat tip to IObOt. And it was not only a wonderful movie, written and acted to perfection, it was a slice of history which foreshadowed the inevitable crash that led to Thatcherism in England and brilliantly lampooned their class system (right down to the accents). Anyone who has been unfortunate enough to be imprisoned in a unionized workplace will be nodding with sad familiarity through much of this. Peter Sellers does something that most actors are incapable of, but that he could do with seemingly no effort- completely disappearing into his roles. Great flick.

    In the now-mandatory category of birthdays and events, today is the birthday of Erwin Schroedinger, he of the eponymous equation and roving penis. Also, Nazi collaborator George Soros, gun safety expert Plaxico Burress, and vastly-overrated guitarist Pat “More Phase Shifter!” Metheny. And this is the anniversary of the death of the last quagga and the discovery of one of Chicago’s great landmarks, Sue.

    Not that there isn’t news. There’s always news.

    The racist administration of my hometown and their racist police department caught yet again doing racist stuff.

    In the video, an officer is seen pushing McGrier up against a wall. McGrier appears to push the officer’s hand away. The officer then repeatedly punches McGrier, who does not appear to strike back. The punches continue until McGrier lands onto rowhouse steps before finally falling to the pavement. The officer then pins McGrier down. A second officer is present but does not appear to partake in the beating.

    And inevitably, the racist cop is rewarded with paid vacation. Because totality of circs, procedures followed, and, oh yeah, union.

    When even the WaPo is embarrassed by a Prog, you know you’re dealing with some Grade A Prime retardation.

    For instance, in an appearance on CNN on Monday, when challenged on the costs of government-financed health care, she answered: “Why aren’t we incorporating the cost of all the funeral expenses of those who died because they can’t afford access to health care? That is part of the cost of our system.”

    Huh?

    Of course, WaPo being WaPo, there’s a few half-hearted attempts to make her sound not quite as stupid as she actually is.

    [T]o be fair to Ocasio-Cortez, the average member of Congress might easily make many bloopers over the course of so many live interviews.

    Well, if the best defense is, “She’s no stupider than Hank Johnson,” we’re in for an amusing next two years.

    I just don’t even know where to start with this one.

    Community members confronted a circle of police in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood over a “bait truck” filled with Nike shoes and allegedly left open by police aiming to lure potential thieves and make arrests. “Y’all dirty, man,” a man tells officers in an online video of the incident published Thursday. “Y’all see kids playing ball and you pull a f—– Nike truck into the ghetto.”

    But Norfolk Southern Railway, which operated the truck with assistance from the Chicago Police Department, denied that the sting targeted neighborhood youth and that the truck was ever left open. Three men, ages 21 and over, were charged with burglary last week after they broke into the truck, police said.

    Here’s the giveaway:

    After the confrontation, however, the white truck is driven away.

    Knew it!

    There is literally nothing left that won’t kill you.

    Shelly L. Miller, environmental engineer and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder, recently launched a barrage of tweets linking to research into the effects of gas on indoor air quality; she claims that she “just got annoyed when asked if there was evidence of health effects from gas stoves…” Seriously, anyone who reads this will want to rip out their gas range.

    I wonder if barrages of tweets will now replace actual publications on academic CVs?

    After scanning this research I can only conclude that gas ranges simply do not belong in our homes, particularly in open kitchens, and should never be used without a properly designed and balanced exhaust system, which is almost impossible to find. And for a modern, well-sealed home with controlled mechanical ventilation, (like a Passive House), just forget about it.

    Well, that’s that. I’m going back to rubbing two sticks together.

    There’s been a lot of discussion in the comments on the upcoming Dora The Explorer movie. And I have to admit that the definitive comment appeared not here, but 5 years ago at Hit & Run.

    Enough About Palin|4.16.13 @ 4:31PM|#

    Who are you to judge me??? You have to have men who are moral… and at the same time who are able to utilize their primordial instincts to assfuck without feeling… without passion… without judgment… without judgment! Because it’s judgment that defeats us.

    To reiterate, I would pay ten grand to fuck Dora the Explorer up the ass. Ten Grand.

    In sad news, the brilliant writer V.S. Naipul has died.

    “I was born there, yes,” he said of Trinidad to an interviewer in 1983. “I thought it was a great mistake.”

    I have trouble thinking of any book of his that wasn’t delightful and insightful. “Among The Believers”

    A businessman is someone who buys at ten and is happy to get out at twelve. The other kind of man buys at ten, sees it rise to eighteen and does nothing. He is waiting for it to get to twenty. The beauty of numbers. When it drops to ten again he waits for it to get back to eighteen. When it drops to two he waits for it to get back to ten. Well, it gets back there. But he has wasted a quarter of his life. And all he’s got out of his money is a little mathematical excitement.

    The comments are, of course, predictable.

    He was a reactionary writer with emotion and prejudice mix with misinterpretation of faith, history and his own Indian identity subdued by the English colonial power. The depth of his self-identity was reminiscent of his past living in poverty and coping with Hindu values he was raised with and living under the wrath of White Christian colonial hegemony.  His writings are full of crisis and the story of poor brown man subjected to power.
    Yet he would contradict himself in the same pros attacking one religion and subjecting himself to the power of another without the same critique.

    Among The Believers was the last book of his I read, and the insights from 1981 are particularly poignant today.

    Old Guy Music, this time featuring a guitarist who, in a just world, would be living in mansions and driven around in Bentleys in the manner of pop music hacks without 5% of his talent and creativity, Bill Frisell. This is a live version of a very avant garde and difficult tune, John McLaughlin’s Follow Your Heart aka Arjen’s Bag, a blues-based composition in 11/8. And Joey Baron does a wonderful job here as well.

    Scientific fact: 98% of you will hate this.

  • Coming Attractions and Saturday Night Open Post

    Next week, along with your regularly scheduled features from Not Adahn, Mexican Sharpshooter, and SugarFree (and links, of course), we have some terrific, wide-ranging content heading your way from: Spudalicious; Fourscore; Florida Man; BakedPenguin; Semi-Spartan Dad; Mojeaux; and Animal.

    Suthenboy’s series on reloading continues with a discussion on dies, and Yusef Drives a Kia promises Part 2 of his Omaha Beach project.

    Sadly, Web Dominatrix will be MIA this week as she is in the middle of project hell with a client who has…a “gender neutral” midwife practice. Could I make that up?

    You’re sure to enjoy all of the articles and I am sure they will prompt you to contribute your own. Right?

    Now, stick around and enjoy a Glib Saturday Night Open Post! See you in the funny papers.

  • ZARDOZ VS DEAR ABBY – THE RETURN

     

    ZARDOZ SPEAKS TO YOU, HIS CHOSEN ONES. IT HAS COME TO ZARDOZ’S ATTENTION THAT THE CHOSEN ONES HAVE FALLEN BACK INTO THEIR LINK IGNORING WAYS. SO BE IT. THEREFOR, ZARDOZ WILL INSTEAD PROVIDE ADVICE – BETTER THAN THAT OF THE BRUTAL “DEAR ABBY“… BEHOLD!

    Q: My co-worker and supposed friend asked if she could borrow my wedding dress because she thought it was so beautiful. I was thrilled to lend it to her and paid for the alterations ($200 plus) as her wedding present. I accompanied her to her fittings and helped her plan her wedding for approximately 100 friends and family.

    The kicker: My husband and I were not invited to the wedding, and when she returned my gown, it had lipstick on it and cake down the front. It wasn’t even in a bag — she just handed it to me. What should I think about this? — FLABBERGASTED IN FLORIDA

    A: TELL ZARDOZ ABOUT IT, BRUTALFRIEND! ZARDOZ HAD THE SAME HAPPEN:

    I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU BRUTAL AND ETERNAL

    LENT ZED AND FRIEND A WEDDING DRESS…AND HOW WAS ZARDOZ REPAID? ZED INSPIRED A REVOLT BY THE ETERNALS, DESTROYED THE TABERNACLE AND LET IN THE BRUTAL EXTERMINATORS TO WRECK THE VORTEX.

    NICE WORK, ZED.

    SOME FRIEND, EH? THUS, YOU SHOULD DO WHAT ZARDOZ FAILED TO DO – CLEANSE YOUR DRESS MESSING CO-WORKER AND SELL HER ORGANS TO RECOUP YOUR CLEANING BILL. ZARDOZ HAS SPOKEN.

     

    Q: My mother-in-law owns the building my husband and I live in. I moved in with him about a year ago, before we were married. Because she owns the building, she doesn’t charge her son rent to live there but asks that he help manage the building, which takes about three hours a month. (He has a full-time job outside of managing the building.)

    When I moved in, his mom asked that I pay rent. I guess in the back of my mind I thought it would change after we got married. Do you think I’m a brat for thinking I shouldn’t have to pay rent? The amount she’s charging me is about what I would pay if we lived in another building and split the rent between us.

    I don’t know how to approach this, or if I’d be stepping out of line to request living somewhere rent-free. Please help. — RENT-FREE IN CALIFORNIA

    A: THIS IS THE TIME TO ESTABLISH DOMINANCE IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP. YOU MUST CONFRONT THE BRUTAL MOTHER IN LAW AND SHOW HER WHO IS BOSS, AS WELL AS ESTABLISH POWER OVER YOUR BRUTAL HUSBAND.

    HELP IS ON THE WAY.

    ZARDOZ WILL DISPATCH BRUTAL EXTERMINATORS TO PICK UP YOUR MOTHER IN LAW AND SEND HER TO TOIL IN THE GRAIN FIELDS

    RENT FREE WORK IN THE FIELDS

    THIS SHOULD SOLVE THE LANDLORD-RENT PROBLEM. NOTE – THIS ACTION SHOULD ALSO SUFFICIENTLY COW YOUR BRUTAL HUSBAND, SO THAT YOU MAY TAKE OVER AND RULE THE REAL ESTATE NOW! ZARDOZ HAS SPOKEN.

     

    Q: My “friend” from childhood, “Camille,” has never had my back. I have done the heavy lifting in our friendship our whole lives.

    While I was on vacation two years ago, she was diagnosed with cancer. I came home immediately and drove to the hospital at 1 a.m. to be by her side. I’ve always been by Camille’s side for everything, even though she hasn’t been there for me. I told her that several times, to no avail.

    I went to every chemo and doctor appointment, and was there every day to rub her feet to make her feel better. I threw her a party for 100 people to “kick cancer’s butt,” took her on a vacation — it goes on and on.

    I ended the one-sided friendship last year. My problem is, I feel guilty for doing it. I feel I left her with cancer. But I also feel that because someone is sick doesn’t give them the right to be abusive or inconsiderate. Camille hasn’t tried to contact me, either. In fact, she has told others that she will never speak to me again.

    I bent over backward for her, but if some other person sent a card, she would make a big deal out of it. I’m deeply hurt and don’t know how to move on. Help! — WOUNDED ON THE EAST COAST

    A: ZARDOZ IS LEFT SHAKING HIS STONE HEAD AT YOU, BRUTAL. YOU ARE MORE SERVILE THAN A GRAIN SLAVE OF THE VORTEX. ZARDOZ WOULD SEND THE BRUTAL EXTERMINATORS FOR YOU, BUT THAT WOULD BE A WASTE OF TIME AND RESOURCES. THEREFOR, YOU MUST DO THE ONLY HONORABLE THING REMAINING. GO FIND YOUR FORMER “FRIEND” ON THE PRETENSE OF WISHING TO PATCH THINGS UP. AT THIS POINT SHE SHOULD BE IN THE HOSPITAL AT SOME TIME. GO TO HER ROOM AND SMOTHER HER WITH A PILLOW. THEN YOU MUST FIND HER MEDICATIONS AND CLEANSE YOURSELF VIA OVERDOSE. THIS WAY THE WORLD IS RID OF TWO MORE WORTHLESS BRUTALS. ZARDOZ HAS SPOKEN.

  • Spring BIF — Last Call

    By Nephilium:

    The box arrived, albeit with some damage.  Thankfully MikeS listened to the suggestion to ship cans, and everything in the package survived:

    Revelation Ale Works Cherry Sour(below):

    This pours a clear red with a huge pink head. The aroma is a hint of cherry, and a bit of funk with some acid in the back end. The head sticks around for a while, then fades out. Bright sour notes, with notes of sweet and tart cherries coming through. Lactic acid is the
    one I’m picking up the most of, with a sharp sour note in the back of the throat. Light bodied, with lively carbonation makes this an excellent summer beer.  Overall: 3.75/5.00

    Drekker Broken Rudder Irish Red (right):

    Pours a clear brown-amber, a bit light for a red ale, with a white head.  Aroma is of caramel, with a touch of roast. Mild flavor, roasted notes, some caramel notes, and a touch of malt sweetness.  Just enough hops present to prevent it from getting cloying, with just a hint of earthy notes in the finish. The beer has a full mouthfeel, with moderate carbonation.  Overall a solid Irish red. Overall: 3.5/5.00

    Revelation Peanut Butter Stout (below):

    Aroma is moderate peanut butter, pours an opaque black with a thin ring of tan head and some dusting on top of the pint. Almost no carbonation present (though this may be due to the can and shipping), flavor is mildly sweet with a touch of roast, and a finish of peanut butter. I’d like to try this one properly carbonated. Overall 3.25/5.00*

    Drekker Pushing Daisies (right):

    Pours an opaque orange-yellow, with a thin white head. Bright aroma, with hints of citrus, clove, and chamomile. Nice carbonation levels, with a moderate body. Flavor starts a bit sweet with a touch of creamy wheat. It finishes with a nice spice and floral finish. Overall
    a solid witbier.  Overall 3.75/5.00

    Fargo Woodchipper IPA (below):

    Aroma is of pine, with some floral notes.  Pours a clear amber with a white head. This is definitely on the hop forward side, with just a touch of sweet malt notes coming through with a kiss of caramel before pine, pith, and bitterness come through.  The bitterness lingers for a while, with some earth noticeable in the finish. A bit light in body, but overall a solid IPA. Overall 3.75/5.00

    Fargo Mighty Red Imperial Red Ale (right):

    Pours a clear reddish-amber with a thin white head.  Aroma starts off with caramel, and then fades to piney hops.  Mild hop presence then the aroma would indicate, Nice caramel notes, a touch of roast, and then a mild earthy bitter finish.  Moderate body, and nicely inviting. Not sure it really reaches Imperial levels (at only 6.6%), but a solid Red. Overall 3.50/5.00

    Rhombus Iconic Blonde (below):

    Pours a clear, pale straw with a white head. The aroma is a touch of grain, with a bit of something sharp behind it. Light bodied, just a touch of malt sweetness, and a bit of floral hop notes. Crisp and refreshing on a hot day. This is a very solid blonde ale. Just the thing to reach for when you just want a clean, cold beer.  Overall 3.75/5.00

    Rhombus Derailed – Strawberry Rhubarb (right):

    A mild sour aroma starts off, with a touch of strawberry lurking behind the tartness.  The beer pours a hazy pinkish-straw with a full white head. Bright sour flavor, with both the rhubarb and strawberry coming through.  There’s enough lively carbonation to lift the flavor off the palate and keep the beer light and refreshing. Overall a very good fruited sour.