Burgum 2024

Who? The ND governor and former tech bro is expected to announce. He’ll be in it to win it. If you can run a state with over 700,000 people, maybe you should move to a big city and try to be mayor instead.

I’m very heartened by the Republicans that have declared their candidacy for president.  I’m a tad unhappy that the other Dakota’s Kristi Noem is still on the fence, but Asa Hutchinson floats my boat. And Tim Scott has raised the bar by saying he would not try to overturn the election if he loses.  Now that is a statesman!

An article in the NYT yesterday floated Chris Christie – not an easy task – as a possible opponent to the orange bag of sins. It said he "would need to go all in on his no-nonsense, in-your-face, Jersey tough-guy shtick". Of course, that would require an about face from his previous posture pictured on my 11/12/21 post. He’d also have to go up against the savvy pols who helped officially launch the charismatic Ron DeSantis’ campaign on Twitter.

What a dog’s breakfast!

Blogging Is Hard

Just ask my pal The Exec.  He has a new one out, so I have to change the link on my blog that goes to his site, once I figure out how to do that.  I’ve enjoyed his recent output.  He’s a long-time professional writer and his posts are almost as good as mine.

We had a Tahoe excursion the first weekend of this month. We rented a GMC tank with the kids and their partners and headed up for the wedding of TCG’s SB1. We encountered some rain, snow and fog on our way up, but my SB1 is a very good driver and got us to our rustic rental, within walking distance of the venue, safely. 

The first event was at TCG and Katie’s house.  We arrived to see red hearts with the couple’s names inscribed in the huge snowbanks. There was a Greek themed dinner available and The Prisoner wine, a personal favorite, freely flowing. They had the heaters cranked on the deck as TCG’s SB2 was working the grill. We all ate our fill, and I stuffed some spanakopita in my pocket on the way out.

Friday was Cinco de Mayo, so there was a Mexican buffet served at a local Tahoe City restaurant. A lot of the FC crowd was just arriving that day, so we had a chance to chat with them as well as meet some new folks.

Saturday was the big day, so we kept a close eye on the weather. The snow was coming down pretty good, and it continued to do so as the ceremony began. A lot of folks had their overcoats on and umbrellas out.  I stupidly left my coat inside, but went to get it about 10 minutes in.  Regardless of the weather, it was a beautiful ceremony, and the young couple handled the weather glitch with aplomb.  Here’s a pic of my crew showing off their footwear. This shot was taken shortly after we tried to pray away the snow.

https://news.yahoo.com/desantis-suggests-personally-prayed-hurricane-231433372.html

The reception was great fun. There were signature cocktails, an old fashioned and something akin to a margarita.  If I was any kind of real writer, I’d get the name of that drink before going to print. We were seated at long tables for dinner and the buffet line, packed with scrumptious vittles, moved along quickly. After dinner, they decided to move the dancing indoors as the outdoor space was quite slippery.  I saw TCG’s SB2’s girlfriend and the hem of her gown had soaked up quite a bit of water.  She sagely said, “I’m a mop”.

I understand the fun continued until midnight, but I headed out about 10 for the trek home, practicing being big in case there were any bears around.  I didn’t encounter any, but I saw a dude walking his dog. We exchanged pleasantries and then I was soon off to dreamland.

CONGRATS TO A AND J!!!

Last week we had the final birthday celebration for my wife. The TCGs, Hoteliers, and Unc and Mashie came over. We had a nice evening so were able to take advantage of the pergola.  On a side note, we had not seen the Hoteliers for a while. Then we also saw them Saturday for their granddaughter's birthday. Now we’re seeing them again tomorrow. Hoteliermania is too much fun.  

The dinner went well, with everyone contributing a dish.  Since her multiple birthday parties had come to an end, the wife had Mother’s Day to look forward to.  I acquitted myself well with a cute Hallmark card – a real one – as well as an avocado toast brunch and fish dinner.  I’m exhausted.

Nick Cannon did not have as good a Mother’s Day.  He apparently got his cards mixed up. He needs a good assistant.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/nick-cannons-mothers-day-cards-to-his-baby-mamas-didnt-go-as-planned?ref=home

Rep. James Comer (idiot-KY) is playing a game of Where’s Waldo. He apparently lost his informant.  I hate it when that happens.

https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a43891991/james-comer-whistleblower-missing-bartiromo/

For the final celeb item, I would like to state as assiduously as possible that I did not need to know this.

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/jane-fonda-says-she-went-165237409.html

Happy Dictionary Week to all who celebrate.

Live from the Foster City Library

I just wrapped up a vigorous swim and have planted myself in the FC library.  Our wonderful cleaning lady is at our house doing her magic and I wanted to keep out of her way.  Her oldest will be heading to college in upstate NY soon and we are so glad for her whole family at this achievement.

I hit the double 6 yesterday.  My phone and Facebook blew up, because people love me.  SB1 and I headed to the big city to meet my bro at John’s Grill.  We watched The Maltese Falcon on Sunday night to get prepped.  We espied a picture of Hammett and a replica of the falcon above the bar on our way out.  I am now twice SB1’s age.  In other words, old.  During lunch we regaled SB1 with our youthful exploits, like shooting squirt guns at our old man’s nether regions while we were showering with him, as well as the Jeannette Long March, which I had detailed in a previous post.  My wife made dinner with some fancy pants NYT recipes and it was quite a tasty treat.  #1 and Barbie, newly resettled in FC, joined us for that one.

I wrote those paragraphs above yesterday.  The intellectual effort took it out of me, but I am now back at it. I am just back from the pool again. The natation gods smiled upon me, leaving several lanes from which to choose.  It was full up as I left.  A quick steam and shower and I’m back at the mansion on Gull.

My better half’s birthday was yesterday and one of the many celebrations for it took place last night at Saltyard in Burlingame.  I had not been there before, but the food was very good.  Our next celebratory dinner will be Thursday night in Tahoe.  The girl’s betrothed has her birthday then, so we celebrate hers and my wife’s.  SB1 is putting together that dinner today and I’m doing the roast my trainer gave me for tonight’s dinner.  I’m not sure if the kitchen is big enough for both of us. My wife’s last birthday dinner is on the 12th. I think it’s the last birthday dinner anyway.

I saw Nordstrom in downtown SF is shutting down.  We were just in the Westfield Mall grabbing a coffee after our John’s lunch.  That closure does not bode well for the downtown retail scene. I remember the days when that space was occupied by The Emporium. The SF Nordstrom Rack is also closing.  Here’s to hoping my favorite city can bounce back from its current troubles.

I saw this headline in the Daily Beast recently.

Her last words were “Stay away from the frog mucus”.

Did you see the outfits at the Met Gala?  That was some seriously ridiculous shit. I think Rihanna, Jared Leto, Doja Cat and Lil Nas X took the cake, but there may have been even weirder stuff I missed.  There was a whole passel of Kardashians as usual, even Kim’s kid North.  Did you take her out of school for that, you chucklehead?

RIP Gordon Lightfoot