Pass.
The neighbors are reenacting 1917 Verdun out there, so I am setting an open post and making sure the doggo is OK.
…
and sipping some Scotch. OK, more like gulping it. And Zooming.
The comments are all yours.
Music link.
Boom.
About The Author
Swiss Servator
Currently serving at the pleasure of a Swiss multinational.
Previously a Soldier, rugby player, lawyer, bouncer, bartender, substitute teacher, risk manager, and cubicle mushroom. Will work for raclette.
Sorry, about the dog. Hope it isn’t too loud.
Been there with the doggo. You are a good owner, Spud.
Whoops. I’m meant Swiss.
Still pretty quiet around here. In an hour it will sound like the Tet Offensive.
Last night it sounded like a company level fight. My wife warned me that all the neighbors have advised it might be more like a battalion fight tonight.
I had to stop the movie my mom and I were watching for around 10 – 15 minutes because we couldn’t hear shit. It’s died down since then.
Day-um.
IKR? All the windows were closed too.
Unpossible IL has laws against buying those types of fireworks
Yes, many!
Reasonable number of booms here in snooty CT – the torrential rains have put a damper on things.
Doggo the second is surprisingly unbothered by fireworks, unlike her predecessor. Small favors. G
SLUMBREW!
I needs to hear from ya… ping me at swissservator@gmail.com, plz.
Still sunlight here. But roads are getting closed to cars to allow the mobs of fireworks gawkers.
It’s raining out, so the weather has dampened the spirits of my neighbors. I’m going to be hearing it later this week when the weather permits.
Rain must have stopped, because the fireworks have started.
We had T-storms much of the day.
Cleared out just in time, yay.
It’s been going on the last three days here. My little dog has been sticking her head underneath the bed in all that time.
Mortars…rockets…I don’t even know what else. Rattles the windows.
I hate that I have become the old man that despises all of the fireworks.
And yet…here I am.
Brother!
I hear you, sir.
I’m sorry for your and Switzy’s doggos. Mine enjoyed the fireworks, as she did pretty much everything, but none were directly nearby. Miss her terribly.
I see a doe in the yard, apparently no fireworks nearby, otherwise she wouldn’t be out in the open area.
There’s a change here.
It used to be all rooftop fireworks.
Now that the cops have obviously been told not to bother, it’s mostly coming from street level. Sometimes sidewalks, mostly just right in the middle of the fucking busy intersection.
The neighbors are always inspired to recreate the sounds of the 1777 battle (largest one day battle of the Rev War) that occurred about two miles away.
Swiss and doggo.. understandable.
9:12pm – sounds like Fort McHenry around here
The great thing is is rained for about 2 hours, so bo dry grass, etc.
*no dry grass
Same here…at least no fires.
I’ve been trying to get the dog to take a shit since 6:30pm. Now all hope is lost…
I had to laugh, KK. Not to worry though, doggie will know when the time is right.
Oh, it may happen…just not outside…
All the fireworks I need for today
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.lawd.189520/gov.uscourts.lawd.189520.293.0.pdf
Injunction against the Feds for colluding with Big Tech to censor.
Of course, they’re already end running this by putting their desires through third party NGOs, but it’sa good start.
Requires or prefers? Most newer cars run fine on lower octane
It’s a 2015 Civic SI, so it has a high strung 4 cylinder. It’s says 93 so I use 93. Computer can possibly recalibrate for lower octane but there no reason to try. Power is limited enough to need to maximize it per factory specs. That said, the car is reliable but fun.
Neighborhood is popping off fairly good this year. But not as good as a couple years ago. I expect more defiance.
Sounds like The Charge of The Knights 2 in my neighborhood.
Sorry about doggo. Just started pouring rain, so we get a respite.
Although the thunder will freak her out as well.
Better two hours late than never I guess.
Was not expecting an evening post.
I think (?) the NYC fireworks are over?
I thought it was just a commercial break, and the real oompah patriot stuff was coming later. By far the lamest ending ever. My neighbors are putting on a (relatively) more impressive display.
Seems appropriate for the Adams administration.
They finally brought a couple hicks on towards the end – the first wypipo… not rap or soul or R&B, they did a couple pop-inflected patriot things, and then POOPH – the show was over.
It used to be much more dramatic.
The vet at the edge of town rents out it front lot every year to a fireworks vendor.
So we get this:: https://photos.app.goo.gl/4s6fxeFYjnbYQp3V6
Making money from both sides. Nice.
Truly American.
It seems like maybe that vet is a big asshole.
The truly sad thing is that all the fireworks and celebratory actions are performance art at this point in my opinion.
I refuse to believe that there are citizens that are truly happy with all that has been going on the last couple of years. Yes, I know that things have been declining for years. And I agree that I am an old fool that remembers a biased golden age. Maybe.
I’m almost 60 and I am gobsmacked by the last five years. Maybe that is just me.
Not just you.
I can’t imagine being a youngin’ these last few years. They have no memory of that golden age.
I really don’t know how young kids are making it these days. I’m in Arkansas. The only thing we are proud of is Mississippi is poorer than we are. Sort of. We actually don’t think that hard about it. It’s too damn hot. We’re both poor as crap.
I’ve been shocked by how many small towns – ridiculously small towns in you’s guys eyes – that have been shutting down. McDonald’s closing. Gas stations closing. Those were the only employers in those places. What are the kids that worked there supposed to do now?
Did I say you’s guys correctly? I’ve never been north of St. Louis. Not proud of it. Just what it is.
At what point in time would it work for a McDonalds and gas stations to be the only employers in a town?
I wrote some truly snarky crap, but I realized you might be serious. And for my initial reaction, I apologize.
There are many crossroads down here that are only gas stations that include an embedded McDonalds. Strangely enough…never seen a Burger King do that.
To answer your question, the only point in time that this would be the only employers in town is that they are the only businesses there.
I realize we are going to disagree about what defines a “town”. And that may be my mistake in putting that out there.
But my point still stands. When you are one of the many people in small “communities “ that are disappearing, what are you expected to do?
Smile?
Tiberius Gracchus is a warning.
Squirrel!
what are you expected to do?
Move.
Nice. What if all your family is there?
Oh, wait. Move.
What if you are so broke you can’t even buy gas to go somewhere?
Oh, wait. Move.
I realize I sound like some progressive asshole. They are wrong about many, many things. And I am all on board to stop them, but I still have some sympathy for people that are at the ass end of things.
And there a lot of people down here that are there. And I am damn sure that it is not just down here.
I have sympathy for them as well, but I don’t see how trying to come up with some magical way to prop up their dying town is going to help them. I’ll pitch in some gas money or give them a lift if I can, that’s about the best I can do, and in the end it’s all any of us can do. Anything else is just prolonging their misery.
I understand what you are saying. And on some level I agree.
No one is saying that trying to prop up their dying town is the problem. The problem is that no one is trying to prop up their dying town.
In my area, it is because of entrenched powers that are not interested in growing the area.
Jesus. I quit.
I sound like a socialist.
Never mind.
So, yes. Hype’s answer to your original question is that they should just smile. Or maybe eat a bullet. Whatever it is, don’t bother him with it.
I expect Bro to strawman someone’s argument but I expected more from an actual Firster.
My lament is not that nobody is doing that; it’s that nobody is interested in doing that.
What exactly is your argument? milo was just venting and you put up a strawman about magically propping up small towns.
I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt since you recognized my Firsting prowess.
I wrote some truly snarky crap, but I realized you might be serious. And for my initial reaction, I apologize.
There are many crossroads down here that are only gas stations that include an embedded McDonalds. Strangely enough…never seen a Burger King do that.
To answer your question, the only point in time that this would be the only employers in town is that they are the only businesses there.
I realize we are going to disagree about what defines a “town”. And that may be my mistake in putting that out there.
But my point still stands. When you are one of the many people in small “communities “ that are disappearing, what are you expected to do?
Smile?
Tiberius Gracchus is a warning.
So much so you wrote it twice! It’s Hype…he…is hype
Oddly enough, I know what you mean…the odd shit is, in IL and IA…the small towns near enough to the exurbs, they are growing and seeing a new day. People are fleeing Chicago or the Quad Cities, etc.
Breezewood, PA?
Well, it also had a bike shop.
What are the kids that worked there supposed to do now?
learn to code?
EBT Card, baby.
I’m a city boy who has always lamented the dying of small (American) towns. I grew up in a smallish American city that is on life support these days. I’ve lived in an even smaller German city (my hometown’s “sister city”) that had more “action” than many bigger American cities. I like the idea of smaller towns that have stuff going on, instead of all the stuff moving into the suburban orbit of some big city.
Maybe “remote” work will save some of those towns.
Things come and things go, my mid-sized town has been in a perpetual state of “dying” my entire life, we lost the tire plant, then we lost the appliance factory, we lost the GM plant and the Steel mill got cut in half, every time I heard how this was the end for the town, but somehow we keep muddling by and people keep building new businesses and growing, . Maybe I’m in the one place that just keeps getting lucky, but when I read you guys bitching and moaning about the state of things it’s like I live in an entirely different universe.
That’s been quite apparent for years now.
This is the part that is missing in many dying American towns. Maybe get around more and see it.
My town never had any of that. We were an agrarian county. It’s half the size that is was when I graduated from high school in 82.
There is literally no industry there.
I don’t think we need to get into a pissing contest about who is screwed more.
We all are.
My town never had any of that. We were an agrarian county. It’s half the size that is was when I graduated from high school in 82.
There is literally no industry there.
I don’t think we need to get into a pissing contest about who is screwed more.
We all are.
You have a promising squirrel resource to exploit.
And why does you’re county have to be of a certain size, if it can’t support those people they need to move to somewhere that can and there are plenty of place that can, if you are willing to work.
Why won’t the squirrels stop? What have I done to them?
Other than shoot their tree rat lives in my younger years.
Rhetorical question.
Yea. Things are just swell. The state of America has never been better!
I didn’t say that, my point is that it’s not nearly as grim as you ‘black pilled’ folk portray it.
Because you stick your head in the sand or don’t believe things that they do (let’s say, that the election was stole).
Politically, things are a mess.
Economically, things are a mess.
We just lived through one of the biggest infringements of civil rights this country has seen. It wasn’t up there with slavery, and the shit Lincoln did to political opponents during the civil war, but it was up there.
We are stuck in a 70’s style malaise at best only our politics have degraded to the point of being on the level of a banana republic.
I have been following this site before it split from the TOS. I truly enjoyed episiarch and warty and all the others. Nikki…Palin’s Buttplug…Playa Manhattan…Heroic Mulatto…OMWC…so many others I don’t remember.
I still don’t know what a libertarian is, but I think it just might be what I might be. I wish all you guys that are the powers that be on the site would come back and interact.
You brought me here from TOS. if you want more of us, you have to play in your sandbox you created.
-THE Hyperbole
Practical realities aside, the government and the Fed have been at war with rural America for decades.
Just consider a single simple issue, the war on cheap, reliable, and independent transportation in the form of cars and trucks.
Then consider the multitude of others, including monetary and regulatory policy that hollows our economic opportunity not because of natural competition, but because it favors the politically connected centers of power.
Not just you. Not just Glibs – had that conversation with neighbors, my plumber, and the guy I just bought a house from.
I live near a university town. Lots of people happy with what has happened the last 12 or so years, and those same people are sad and angry about Trump judges “taking” away their Obama rights. But, get out of the city, and the hatred is fierce.
There really needs to be (another) amendment on voting age. It’s ridiculous that college students can vote.
“Service equals Citizenship”
Only Citizens can vote
As I asked in an earlier post, what are we even actually celebrating these days?
Independence Titty Tuesday after dark.
https://archive.is/AoxQC/3c86344b931d4db952c36ed97607d948b0c7765f.jpg
NSFW.
https://archive.is/L0iLS/5b7a5608c2c3692cc5b53743c3ae674b4fc114f8.jpg
NSFW.
https://thumb-p8.xhcdn.com/a/aQEL3i82_lK6YvDowh9O9w/000/374/214/598_1000.jpg
NSFW.
https://archive.is/KEUGP/a400f7dc3725809d896fdfc8399914492563d0b1.jpg
NSFW.
https://archive.is/oTvfT/580664c3a347eeb3e1d948743b654217ca1d91a9.jpg
NSFW.
Well happy independence day to you too happy
Well hello there.
Happy Fuck off Slaver day.
Happy 4th all you deplorables!
Merry Independence Day y’all,
We get to see 2 shows from across the bay,
Tall Freedom Cans!
With apologies to X, herewith another favorite 4th track.
Ugh Youtube thinks I want to hear Nightshift after that. Almost like it’s because that’s the last thing I listened to on Youtube or something.
How about being advertised to, for things you just bought?
+1 Amazon
Way cool, thanks!
It would have been a lot cooler had they signed the document on the First. A lot cooler.
That’s actually funny Bro,
Cheers!
Back from our sail. We even caught a mahi-mahi. Heading over to a friend for more than four beers and BBQ. (Walking distance FTW)
I hope the fireworks rock because…….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtJJC0nWs9s
I can’t believe this wasn’t linked earlier.
Curious if anyone else is having trouble watching Redlettermedia’s movie reviews – at least their Half In The Bags.
They have always tried to avoid getting into the politics of movies (one exception, which was attacking Brie Larson but only because she went after people like them – fat middle aged white guys who review movies and comic book movies in particular). That’s fine, though it’s becoming increasingly difficult to do that and to remain relevant in the current climate, I’d argue. But they have always done their own thing.
But when they are pumping out an Indiana Jones and The Dial Of Destiny review in which they don’t just refuse to bash the movie the way it deserves, but then actually say that Phoebe Waller-Bridge was the best part, it feels more like a group of people who are painfully aware of what the rest of the internet is saying and the why for a decent portion of those people and are actively looking to take the opposite approach because of politics. They’d never say that outright, of course.
They barely review the big movies anymore. Again, that’s fine, though when they do decide to dabble in them its usually for giant pieces of shit for the wrong reasons. Sam Raimi kind of directed this so let’s watch it and handle it with kid gloves!
I used to watch them religiously and I find myself just kind of drifting away. Like losing an old friend.
They’re far better when they just ignore the big blockbusters. They almost universally suck since End Game and RLM is completely unwilling to take a stance on the issues that people are most interested in discussing about them.
I’d rather here their thoughts on smaller films that aren’t getting the attention and love. But they rarely even do that.
Let me rephrase that – they are completely unwilling to take a public stance on those issues because they would likely end up somewhere middle of the road and end up pissing off everyone. They’d lean to the left, because that’s what they are, but they wouldn’t be close enough to the progressive hive mind. So best to silence yourself and to refuse to even offer an opinion on the subject. The silence says enough.
So don’t talk about movies where the primary discussion is centered around the politics.
So you watched the movie?
I have not. I may at some point, though I have like 5% interest in doing so.
But I do know that no one else on either side of the political divide has actually tried to claim that Phoebe Waller-Bridge was actually the best part of anything. Even sympathetic movie critics have largely panned her role in the movie and made it clear that she leads Harrison Ford around by the nose all movie.
I did (didn’t pay, I’m a critic, I have RIGHTS!). It was ‘Meh’. Muddled mess with no clear definition of characters, used call backs without know why or how to execute, was dull and over-wrought. But, it was not ‘WOKE MARY SUE MAKES INDIANA A MAN BABY AND MURDERS YOUR CHILDHOOD!!111!!’. It was better than Kingdom of the Crystal skull by the mere fact Shaia Loo Boof wasn’t in it nor any CGI monkeys.
Hey, leave CGI monkeys alone.
So they cut out the ending in which Harrison Ford Indy was erased from history and all his achievements were “really” performed by Phoebe-indy?
We just finished the blast on the bay, 3 different locations in sync, very cool.
Next up is SeaWorld at 9:30
Fireball!
As usual, my house up against the hill gets the noise from basically the entirety of Los Angeles, so it’s just a continuous popping-boom sound here. Like a really really big drum corps practice – not super close for the most part but a rolling thunder kind of thing. it started at least an hour before sunset and will probably not taper off til midnight because people be crazy here.
I still enjoy seeing fireworks every now and again, and a bonfire is always welcome, but nothing says Independence Day to me like an old-timey anvil shoot.
Definitely looking into doing this
whenif I grow up.That’s hilarious.
Was just falling asleep… then POP. POP. POP. POP. POP. POP. POP. like right outside my window.
Sigh.
Saw the most Sconnie road work sign ever today: Warning Manure Transport Ahead
It says nothing about beer or cheese.
I’ve in paradise, look at the tourists, poor souls,
https://photos.app.goo.gl/aHk3KnzceYgDcsQW7
And they keep coming,trying to get home
Good morning to you shiny, happy people (and you whiny ass bitches!). 😘
We share the same news, but I think we all cope with it differently.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vrMHkeKWd78
🎶🎶
I love you all, so have another song: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VlVhUbGa2pg
🎶🎶
🌄😃
I DO love it! 😄
Good morning, Sean! 🙂☕🌞
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2023/07/sharks-bite-3-long-island-swimmers-on-july-4-day-after-teen-surfer-attacked-off-fire-island-beach.html
…something something bigger boat…
NO BOAT TOO BIG FOR SEA SMITH!
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/media/2023/07/04/stephen-a-smith-reacts-espn-layoffs/70382248007/
ESPN NOT LAY OFF STEVE SMITH. STEVE SMITH LAY OFF ESPN. BY LAY OFF MEAN…
Mornin’, reprobates!
Good morning, ‘patzie! 😃 How are you & yours today?
Mornin’, GT!. Can’t complain, even though I do. Focusing on the negative even when things are mostly pretty good seems to be baked into human DNA.
Wineberries are beginning to ripen, attracting a fine assortment of birds. Catbird seems to be the boss, although cardinal is giving him a run for his money. Speaking of cats, how are the kittehs?
He must be sitting in his seat. 🐦
The kittehs are fine, thanks. LBC is on my lap even as I type this (mostly with one hand.) Unfortunately, he just noticed the drawstring of my hoodie. I’d been working on making another fuzzy blanket so the kittehs wouldn’t have to share (read “so LBC can’t hog it, leaving Big Dumb-But-Sweet Cat SOL”) but had to set it aside when LBC indicated he want lap time.
Catbirds are lesser than Mockingbirds. I was very disappointed when I finally encountered one in the new back yard.
Mockers are great musicians. We’ve got a few, but they don’t hang around the wineberry patch. Too close to the house, probably.
Obligatory.
They like to do their song and dance on the peaks of roofs in my neighborhood.
Morning, Glibs.
It looks like I made it to the office on time. I overslept and woke up at the time I was supposed to be headed out the door. Thankfully, I built in enough of a margin into my normal schedule that with some haste, I was able to still make it.
Good morning, U! Glad you got a few extra minutes of sleep but still managed not to be late. 😅
Mornin’, U. Sounds like you need more alarm clocks, good that you made it on time.
No, I need to get to sleep before 3am. Ideally, a few hours before 3am.
That might work.
Good morning!
Lily is completely unbothered by fireworks. I miss them. I always preferred shooting them off myself to going to a show, and growing up in OK, we had some pretty fun stuff. Especially because my grandparents ran a fireworks stand before the first wave of fireworks bans started rolling out.
However, even if they were legal here, my current home is completely unsuitable. The one downside of living in the woods — even if I were unafraid of the whole “fire” aspect, my sky views are extremely limited.
Good morning, NA! Glad to hear Lily isn’t traumatized by the big booms, but jealous that you live in the woods. I’d love to have a house in the woods…if the house was in enough of a clearing NOT to constantly have leaves and other tree debris all over the roof and clogging up the gutters.
I have to sweep the driveway more often than I run the snowblower, and I run the snowblower more often than the lawn mower.
Of course, my neighbors think I should put more effort into my “lawn.”
Another of my criteria for “ideal house in the woods” is “lawn not visible to neighbors.”
When I’m in my house, there is no direct line-of-sight to them, which makes them easier to ignore.
“If you want my lawn to look pretty, we can arrange some time for you to work on it.”
I’m pretty sure step 1 would be “replace all the topsoil.”
Ooo, do it in a checkerboard of one yard squares.
So…
An email sent out this morning from corporate. In honor of Pride Months, the company is giving matching grants to an approved list of LGBTQ+ charities, through July.
Oh joy. My firm instituted a matching grant program a few years ago, complete with a list of approved charities. Not a single one I’d consider supporting.
I’m pretty sure that the reason Amazon Smile went away is too many wrongthinkers were getting donations.
Approved by who? Because I certainly didn’t approve any.
People who matter.
Like I said, I didn’t approve any. That list should be Empty.
Is NAMBLA on the list?
Wait, what did I miss? Pride Months? How many are there?
Zero.
Celebrating Deadly Sins has been removed from the calendar.