DJ on Substack?

I've been talking to SB1 and #1 about the possibility of migrating my blog to Substack.  It is apparently easy enough that even I could do it.  This would let me widen my audience, allowing people to join up via email. Conversely, it could allow people to treat it like the spam that it is.

We had a good time in NJ.  I managed to keep my pants up the rest of the trip.  Sonny Boy wheeled me around the beach on one of these. Mine even had an umbrella.

We also had a regular wheelchair.  The six older adults went out for dinner one night.  Afterward, my brother-in-law dumped me on the sidewalk when he was rolling me home. I’ve never quite understood the ill feelings he has harbored for me all these years.  I treat his sister like a queen.

The DNC was lit.  It is interesting the enthusiasm that can be generated when there are two decent human beings on the ticket. I just wish Kamala was as good looking as Trump. We’ve taped the whole thing.  I’ll have to fast forward to the part where Beyonce shows up. I have not watched much but have done a little reading, especially Charles P. Pierce in Esquire.  I sometimes send his stuff to Unc and the Wolv.  That’s probably a violation of some law, but I like to live on the edge.

https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a61956817/kamala-harris-dnc-acceptance-speech/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_esq&utm_medium=email&date=082324&utm_campaign=nl36507739&GID=a299db311496f415a2e5ca233c02f2a5e378f94bdef396e576bc2d0f6c84dcbd&OO=&utm_term=TEST-%20NEW%20TEST%20-%20Sending%20List%20-%20AM%20180D%20Clicks%2C%20NON%20AM%2090D%20Opens%2C%20Both%20Subbed%20Last%2030D

Fox News had a different take. Hannity said the DNC’s theme was hatred and loathing. I really didn’t get that vibe on the parts I saw.  They may find Trump hateful and loathsome, but that would just make them objective.  Jesse Waters referred to the convention as boring.  I have the same take on Jesse as the Slate writer who titled his May article "The Resting Smirk of the Bulletproof Moron". Ultimately Fox had to cut off a ranting Trump on the final night of the DNC. “He’s still talking”.

I think one could say it’s been tough on all of us.

My surgery is coming up Thursday so there may be a blog void for a bit.  Or I might live blog my recovery. I’ll send a status update out via email asap afterward, possibly in an opiate induced haze. 

You From Jersey?

We flew into DC Thursday, so I got to check out SB1 and LGMG’s beautiful abode, which was a couple blocks from our VRBO. We chowed down on several pizzas that evening before heading back our basement digs, where I had to dodge the low ceiling in the living room area.  SB1’s house has the same layout.  I managed to get 11 or 12 hours of sleep that night, so I was ready for our only full DC day.  The yutes were working so the wife and I drove to Silver Springs for brunch. The normal breakfast selections were unavailable, so I put together bacon, potatoes and eggs from side dishes, which all arrived on small plates at different times, but was serviceable.

That evening brought us to a neighborhood Basque place called Atxondo.  The girls had gotten in from Portland a few hours earlier and #1’s SB1 and daughter-in-law joined us. His SB1 offered me a handshake and I decided to give him a hug, so I’ve clearly gone over to the softie side. #1’s SB1 also brought up my Air Supply parody of “I’m all out of hugs. I don’t want to touch you”. That kid has a good memory. We also had a discussion about blog names for those two, but since I’ve barely been able to name my two daughter-in-laws, that may take some time.

We shared two seafood paellas and multiple tapas, along with cocktails and a couple very reasonably priced ($36) bottles of wine. With eight of us, I was surprised that they did not tack on a service charge, but that saved me some dough when I stiffed them on the tip. #1 has not responded to my SquareCash request for payment for his youngsters.

We hit the road yesterday afternoon for the drive to Stone Harbor, NJ.  SB1 had a steady hand on the wheel, dealing with lots of traffic, rain and some NJ back roads. The highlight of that drive was the stop at the Joseph Robinette Biden rest stop in Delaware. The kids decided to go with healthy choices of Popeye’s Chicken and Panda Express, while the wife and I had generic turkey sandwiches. We got in about 8:30 and my brother-in-law poured us some drinks.  The rest of his family will be arriving over the next few days.

I said in my last blog that I might be getting one out from the road.  I had not planned to do that quite as quickly but an interesting event transpired this morning which I thought I’d share. We had a good breakfast with my wife, SB1 and my brother-in-law. The girl and AG decided to get something to go so they could watch the Olympics women’s soccer championship game. After breakfast we were walking to the car. When crossing the main square at 96th St. and 3rd Ave, I made it about 10 feet into the crosswalk when my shorts fell down. I stated “old man alert” among the giggles and snickers and several hands trying to help me. I made it back to the curb to sort myself out before awaiting the next walk signal. I will not be posting a re-creation picture like I did on my 9/22/23 blog.

LAMI WHAT?

I was going to send an update via email, but I decided to text folks instead about my upcoming laminotomy on August 29 as it was quicker and shorter. Therefore, most of my readers already have the scoop. The link below will give you all the deets, although it does not refer to it as a spinal canal roto-rooter like I do. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laminotomy

I’m looking forward to the procedure.  I’m hoping it allows me to ditch the cane and get back to swimming and other normal activities of a pot-bellied senior citizen with a slight limp. 

I’m flying to DC tomorrow.  I’ll get to see SB1 and LGMG’s house for the first time, as well as the knockoff Maltese Falcon I bought them as a housewarming gift. I think I am also committed to buying dinner for #1’s kid and his wife. At least that is what #1 tells me. After spending a few days there having SB1 wait on me hand and foot, we are off to Stone Harbor, NJ for a beach week with the in-laws and family along with my sister and LA. I’m looking forward to the ocean, although bodysurfing is probably not on my docket.

There’s been some activity in the political arena since my last post. The day after that dropped, Biden pulled out and endorsed Kamala Harris. Today she picked Tim Walz as her VP, who sagely started referring to GOPers as weird. The Dems have stopped shooting themselves in the foot, as Trump did in his NABJ interview. I’m not making any predictions but I’m feeling pretty good right now.

I saw the news that Aerosmith is retiring from touring due to Steven Tyler’s vocal injury.  Some headlines referred to it as “heartbreaking”. I’m not sure about that, but inevitable might be more apt, given the guy has been screeching for over 50 years.

Football season is almost upon us.  I sent in my $75 check for the pool I originally joined about ten years ago with a bunch of ATT folks. If you’d like to catch a hilarious take on each team, you can read the Why Your Team Sucks series on Defector. It is worth the $8 subscription for one month.

https://defector.com/

I may get out another post from the road, like I did from Italy, but I’m going to make sure that my pants are appropriately secured. I don’t want to disconcert anybody. And I hope everyone is having a brat summer.