Don’t Look for Sasquatch!

In a lovely gesture, Texas governor Greg Abbott sent his condolences to Rosalynn Carter upon Jimmy’s death. I’m sure she would have graciously accepted them if she hadn’t been dead for over a year.  I don’t want to say that many Republican politicians are as dumb as a box of rocks but…

SB1 and LGMG hit the road Friday, so we are down to only the Oregon couple left. They never look for Sasquatch and are currently in Pismo Beach. They will be back tomorrow before flying out Thursday.  The four of us went to see Wicked on Saturday. It had pretty good attendance for a 10:10am showing. We had a choice of my car, my wife’s car or #1s car that he had generously let us use while he was in Houston. We decided to drive his to the movie. The next day our neighbor came by to tell us someone had hit his mirror.  Fortunately, it may have been a bike because it was not smashed, and the casing had come off in two intact parts.  I used my considerable mechanical skills to put it back together.  My concern is that #1 may find additional issues when we return it, like the need for a new engine.

I’m noticing tons of articles about the MAGA civil war.  Don’t you hate to see it? It looks like wrangling all the diversely demented MAGA elements is going to be harder than bringing down grocery prices. And our first felon President just sent out a warmhearted New Year’s note. It seems he’s pissed that Democratic senators are going to do their job and challenge some of his stellar nominees.

Old DJ has dropped down to fifth place – still a money spot – in his NFL pool, but he did take the weekly win in week 17, which is good for $20.  The weekly win is associated with how many points you make. If there are 16 games, you assign a value of 1 – 16 to each game. And here are my picks for the final week of the season.

Bal Cin Atl Was GB Ind Buf Phi TB Hou AZ Den LAR LAC Mia Det

In other football news, I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal.

Festivus Gathering

We had my brother over last night, along with his kids. 4M, his wife and their wine joined us as well. Since I’ve known 4M for 55 years, and my brother for longer, we had a lot of material for the airing of the grievances. Dinner was two huge pans of lasagna and Caesar salad. We always provide a vegetarian option because we are woke. My brother brought a dessert from a North Beach bakery and my niece, the pastry chef, made a pumpkin cheesecake. The third dessert was a panettone that my sister had express delivered to us from Sleepy Hollow. You are not supposed to eat anything bigger than your head, which the panettone was, but we bucked conventional wisdom.

I missed a call from The Wig yesterday. He was probably just letting me know my Christmas gift was on the way. He got a mention in our annual letter, so he couldn’t be beefing about that.  I’ll give him a shout once I’m done with this post.

Tonight, we have a few members of the FC crew coming over.  For several years we had a large gathering of villagers on Christmas Eve.  I think we peaked at about 28 guests one year, probably back in the mid-2010s. This year The Hoteliers are in Oakhurst and #1 and Barbie are in Houston. It is not really a legit blog post if I don’t mention #1.

Christmas Day will be just the family, including LGMG’s parents and sister. My wife went out to find the most expensive turkey extant and I believe she is under the impression that I am going to help her brine it today. The festivities will continue Thursday night as we head into the city for dinner at the Liholiho Yacht Club. It is nowhere near water, but the food is good.

My pal JB is telling me that she didn’t receive my Christmas letter and is concerned that she has been axed from the list.  Her concern is valid, but she did make the cut this year. Hers should have gone out in the first batch I sent, so I blame the USPS. Plus, she lives in Florida now, so maybe some Florida Man raided her mailbox. I sent her a digital version, so I expect we’ll exchange 10 emails or so today. 

Outgoing Senator Joe Manchin had his own grievances to air, torching the Democratic Party as “toxic”. That’s rich, given its opposition is led by one of the most execrable human beings on the planet. I wonder what he thinks of Dear Leader making noises about taking over the block of ice that is Greenland. I want Agent Orange to focus on bringing grocery prices down, although he has admitted it will be “very hard”. Joe, don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

Kim Kardashian gifted us with her version of Santa Baby, which many people are calling “disturbing” and “demonic”. I’ve decided to keep the vibes positive and stay as far away from it as possible. I’m hoping Khloe and Kourtney will do their version of Jingle Bells to lighten the mood.

I remain in third place in the football pool, which has a $430 payout. 4th place is only one game behind me, so I gotta bring my A game these next two weeks. For your consideration, my week 17 picks.

KC Bal Sea LAC Cin LAR Ind Buf Ten Min NO TB Mia Phi Was Det

Hark

I’ve finished a rough draft of our annual letter. It will be going through a rigorous review process by my wife and should be in your mailbox by the end of next week. In that same vein, don’t tell her, but she’s getting a boho romper onesie for Christmas.

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/jennifer-lopezs-boho-romper-onesie-165755133.html

#1 was pleased to see I finally got a blog out Tuesday and shared it with the FC posse, along with his response, which was:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl_NpdAy3WY

Touching, though somewhat delusional.

LGMG got into town last night. SB1 will be joining us Saturday. I picked up some bagels to go with the lox we’ve had in our fridge for a few weeks. I can’t find a use by date on it so I told LGMG I’d eat some today and if I don’t get sick, she can have it for breakfast tomorrow.

I shared my week 15 picks on my last post, but I have made one change.  I decided to take Houston over Miami. Now you can place your bets.  I don’t like to bet against the Niners, but I am a realist. Maybe next year.

We had a hell of a dinner at Barbayani in Los Altos Tuesday night. It was The UK’s 67th birthday.  He was the youngest kid in our high school graduating class.  I was the third youngest.  We’ve both gone on to do amazing things. TK and 4M were there along with their spouses. 4M was acting as our sommelier. We had two rounds of appetizers, including some flaming cheese. OPA!  They wheeled out a cart of after-dinner drinks. Most of us tried the 20-year port, which was delicious.  When that ran out, 4M tried the 30-year.  I think I need to bring my Greek pal TCG down there some time in 2025.

OK beautiful people, have a great holiday.

Where’d My Mojo Go?

I’ve been working on a post since before Thanksgiving but have not been “feeling it”. I got up early this morning and have already done a news scan and a couple crossword puzzles, so it’s time to get in gear.

We had a festive Thanksgiving over at #1’s house, along with several of his family members and TCG and Katie. Besides the excellent chow, we were all thankful to be under the radar of the incoming Orange Ogre administration. We can also be grateful that Jennifer Love Hewitt and Lacey Chabert are trying to make a Christmas movie together.

#1 did a heck of a job carving the turkey, as illustrated below.  He said he watched an NYT video to get his technique. The Wig told me he had seen that video as well, but I’ve seen no photographic evidence of his results.

Since #1 was pretty busy, we did not have a chance to discuss the Foster City geese problem. He’s in favor of draconian solutions, but the latest news is the city council is looking at "remote control devices, strobe lights, lasers and chemical repellents" as well as “propane cannons, pyrotechnics and electronic devices". I don’t know what the hell a propane cannon is – I guess the internet could help – but I’m all for sending these guys on their way.

#1 was a little miffed – I should have just titled this post “#1” - that I have not shared my NFL picks, since I have not blogged in what seems like eons, at least to my #1 fan. There has been a lot of interesting stuff happening in the last few weeks.  Matt Eberflus’ stellar clock management finally got him fired.  The Raiders almost put away the Chiefs, but managed to step on their big shot with a bad snap. The Chiefs are good, but lucky as hell. They won Sunday with a field goal that hit the upright and bounced in.  I had chosen the Chargers in that one.  So close! And last night the Cowboys had it in the bag when they could not get out of their own way on a blocked punt.  That went my way as I had taken the Bengals. Here are week 15’s tentative picks.  Don’t put your money down until I give you the go ahead.

LAR Was KC Cin Mia Bal NYJ Dal LAC Den AZ Det Phi Sea Min Atl

We spent this past weekend at The Hotelier’s new hotel in Oakhurst. We got invited along with another couple.  You’ll never guess who it was. That’s right, #1 and Barbie. We had a great day Saturday at Yosemite.  We saw all the big sites: Half Dome, El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, Degnan’s Deli. It was a full day topped off by my wife’s favorite new recipe, NYT Skillet Chicken, that we had prepared in advance. We spent Sunday lazing about. I got in a full day of football viewing whereas #1 made himself useful by figuring out the pellet stove and inspecting their well. We got kicked to the curb yesterday morning and are now back in beautiful Foster City.