Killing Me Softly

I was in my car last week, tuned into my #9 pre-set, 107.7 The Bone.  They play a lot of noise so I don’t listen often, but it is there in the off chance they will be playing a Led Zep or Who tune. They were doing a parody of Roberta Flack’s big hit, originally recorded by Lori Lieberman. Their version was “Killing Me Softly With His Dong”. I was disgusted and immediately called the FCC. Unfortunately, Trump had appointed Wolfman Jack as its head, so my grievance fell on deaf ears. I shared this with Unc and Wolv, and they were as appalled as I.

It is mid-morning here in the beautiful FC and I am already two-thirds of my way through the trifecta. I came across this sign at Gull Park, along with a small flock about 20 yards away.  It is a work in progress.

I did not completely ignore the Golden Globes last night, but I tried. I mostly watched The Pats dispatch the Chargers. Sadly, I ended up in a tie for 15th place in my regular season pool, well out of the money. I am now hoping the playoff pool can redeem me. I am 4-1 so far, so things are looking up.

I did have to check out the GG looks this morning and I am sharing my favorite.  For those not in the know, this is Audrey Nuna and she is a K Pop Demon Hunter singer, which is my old gig.

I have been getting a ton of international hits lately.  I thought the UK might have been putting me on, but he claimed innocence. The most recent ones have been from Tunisia, Paraguay, Brazil, Colombia and Peru. Either I’ve broken through to an international fan base shortly before my blog’s 20th anniversary, or some of my other alleged friends are messing with me.

Speaking of alleged friends, I went to a pizza party at #1’s house last week. He also served a King cake for dessert, and I got this adorable baby, which I will always cherish.

I saw this headline recently and decided I’m going to make a lot of noise when I go.

26 Skidoo

I just got off the horn with one of my best buds, The Wig, which was a good way to kick off the New Year.  I sent a NYE note to The Wolv as well.  Keep in touch with your friends, people!

Another good way to start the year is to check out my blog.  I know you are just getting over busting a gut from reading my Xmas letter, but I’m always here for you. 2025’s version may not have been the best. I could be losing my touch after 30 years as I slowly slide into my senescence.

We had a great trip to DC to see the beautiful bundles and the rest of the family. We rented a nice place about a 10-minute walk from SB1’s place. Lots of good food was consumed over the week, including some crab cakes from Potomac’s most chic grocery store. We also had some leftover paella from the catered affair we had at my brother-in-law’s abode. Even the weather cooperated for the most part, except when I froze up at our outing to see the zoo lights. If I ever needed convincing to stay toasty on the West Coast, that was it.  I’ll be on Gull until they send me to the nursing home.

The flights went smoothly both ways. We had a couple of interesting events on the flight home.  One flight attendant was a little agitated as she repeatedly told us the flight was full and to only put big bags in the luggage compartment.  I complied. She was also not too happy when a little terrier came up the aisle mid-flight. She told the entitled owner to keep him in his carrier, to which he replied “Obviously”.  If it was my dog, which it would never be, I’d be apoplectically apologetic instead of cracking wise. The same dude’s huge water bottle rolled up the aisle upon landing. DJ went into solid citizen mode and retrieved it for him.

#1 recently told me of a benefit I was unaware of with my supplemental Medicare coverage.  Both the wife and I can get up to $100 worth of items from CVS quarterly. I hopped to it as soon as I got back, getting our orders in under the wire.  Being one of the tightest of tightwads, I revel in free stuff. I got myself a heating pad and thermometer as well as a lifetime supply of Vaseline. Since today is a new quarter, I’m already working on my next list.

I cannot understand some people and their complete and utter pettiness and hypocrisy.  I saw this headline and said, “Leave Joe the hell alone”. He’s just an ailing, octogenarian ex-President at this point.

“Fox News host Tomi Lahren mocked former President Joe Biden for taking a vacation—while she was filling in for a vacationing Sean Hannity.”

The end of the NFL regular season is upon us.  I invited the Hoteliers over for the big game at 5pm Saturday, as they have not had the opportunity to spend time with us lately. I’m a fair weather Niners fan so, since it is raining, I’m going with Seattle. I just got my picks in.  I’m in a six-way tie for 8th place, and the first nine spots pay out.  I need a good week.

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I Lied

I said in my last post that I would be making daily notes for a year end post.  That did not happen. I imagine that will piss off my large base, but I gotta be up front.  On top of that, JB is upset with me because I ran out of baba ghanouj before I got to her Christmas letter.

Did you see Time Person (People) of the year? Here’s the pic. Stephen Colbert said: “That cover photo there is inspired by a famous photo of iron workers having lunch on the steel beam of a skyscraper. There’s one slight difference: This time, you’re rooting for the wind.”

I got a disheartening Atlantic article from Dr. Joe. The NIH is now nominally headed by Jay Bhattacharya, aka “Podcast Jay”, but it is his deputy that is doing the major damage. I also came across the news that the Trump admin is doing its best to trash NOAA. The pundits have already said it, but it will take decades to recover from the Orange Duce’s wake.

I haven’t got much else for you but the week 16 picks and a ho ho hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas.

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Your Mid-Week Post

I’ve decided to write daily notes starting tomorrow and crank out what will likely be my last post of the year, sometime late next week. We head to DC on 12/20 and I’ll be holding babies and such until we get back on 12/29. This notice will cut down on the snark from certain people saying, “Gosh I haven’t seen a post lately.”

I did get a note from JB yesterday that she enjoyed my last post.  She has fled her FL abode for the sunshine of NYC for several days.  I do not get a lot of comments on my writing, but Unc does occasionally respond that he is on the verge of unsubscribing, which is simply the blather of a grizzled septuagenarian.

Are you struggling with affordability?  Probably not, as you are all boomers, many with second properties.  But it is a real thing for people, including many MAGA knuckleheads, but you’d never know it from the hooey coming out of the White House.  Trump was in PA yesterday calling it a “Democrat hoax” while telling people to cut down on expenses. He gave pencils as an example.  How apt! I’ve cut down on pencils significantly since finishing up trig in 1973.  He also said “You don’t need 37 dolls for your daughter. Two or three is nice, but you don’t need 37 dolls.”  My girl never got more than 7 or 8 each Xmas.  Doesn’t Trump make you yearn for the halcyon days of Nixon and W?

My old employer, the phone company, has been out in the neighborhood this week.  In the biz, we call that a truck roll. #1 and I chatted with the tech before our walk today. They are installing fiber. I mentioned that my son is an employee in good standing with his union, CWA. I’m already with them for internet but maybe I’ll get a better deal than Google TV for cable.

I started my volunteer gig down in Menlo Park last week.  I’m setting up subsidized Uber and Lyft rides for seniors. Like Trump, I’m a little worried about getting into heaven, so I decided I needed to give back. I’m working with one of my old ATT pals.  They said they would get me a headset, which I’d greatly appreciate since I don’t like using the speakerphone. Plus, a headset has always been a good look for me.

We had the 4Ms over for dinner Sunday. My pal since 1969 has always provided the finest of wines during our get togethers.  When my wife and I decide we need the good stuff, we invite them over. One of the reds was from his backyard grapes, a 2024 Côtes du Home.

#1 told me he got his Xmas letters out yesterday and I let him know ours is soon to follow. He delivered his annual hot sauce yesterday, which inspired me.  I plan to put a small sample of my home-made baba ghanouj in our letters this year.

NFL’s week 14 was a little rough on me. I went a mediocre 7-7 but I’m confident I’ve cracked the code for week 15 and expect to scoot upwards out of the five-way tie for 16th that I’m currently in. You can take these to the bank.

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Deuces

Having knocked off the Sunday NYT crossword in 22 minutes and 22 seconds, I’ve decided it is time to give back, so you’re getting a post.

I could start with some celebrity snark, but the Daily Beast is just making it too damn easy for me.

I was in the big city Friday night. The wife and I stayed at one of her work friend’s houses on 29th St. It was a chilly evening, and I felt like curling up on the heated bathroom floor when we got back from our outing. This consisted of a dinner at the Tonga Room with the numbers and Hotelier and their better halves, followed by a Sarah MacLachlan concert. The Fairmont was hopping with tourists and there were plenty in the Tonga Room, which some may refer to as a tourist trap, but we chose it for its locale, not its cuisine, which was OK. The wife and I stuck to straight Tanqueray, which they served up cold, strong and without vermouth, just the way we like it. Others got a cloyingly sweet margarita that they had to cut with some water and ice. I was not sitting near the Hotelier, so we didn’t have a chance to chat, and I didn’t see him at the concert either. I imagine he was quite disappointed.

It was a quick two-block walk to the Masonic to see Sarah. In a nod to the SJ Merc’s review, her show was better than chocolate. We ended up in the cheap seats as it was sort of a last-minute arrangement, but the show was excellent. Although you may be aching for a detailed review from DJ, I’ll give you an excerpt from the Merc which I completely agree with.

"During the course of nearly two hours, and running through 20 songs from more than 30 years of her stellar career, McLachlan’s voice was nothing short of exquisite, divine, miraculous, wondrous — take your pick of highly complementary adjectives, since they all pretty much work in this situation."

My wife called an Uber as soon as we stepped out of the Masonic. My plan would have been to walk to the Mark Hopkins to get away from the crowd a bit.  That was one of the several things we argued about discussed during our urban adventure.  In any case, we went to the designated Uber spot with about half of the other audience members. Lo and behold, our first two Uber requests got cancelled and we were assessed a $5 cancellation fee. My wife was adamant that she would recoup that, and I wished her the best of luck in her quest. From there a shivering DJ took over, we went to the Mark Hopkins and secured a ride home. I talked some Spanish with our Venezuelan driver but decided not to discuss our esteemed President’s position on his country.

The next morning, we ambled to Four Chairs on Mission for breakfast. I understand they usually have a line out the door on weekends, but we think lots of folks were out of town, letting us get seated right away. We almost walked out the door in a huff when we found out they did not serve cappuccinos, but we decided to stay and enjoyed breakfast. I did not peruse the bill well enough so I may have been overcharged on one item. I need to be a little more careful with the boomer cash.

The Niners are shortly against the Browns in Cleveland. Per Rich Eisen, they have not won there since 1984. I fear my pick of our home team may add to another loss to my current 0-4 record for week 13.

I’ll close with a correction on my 11/24 post. I had mentioned that I thought Toast in Town was the only breakfast option in FC. My daughter pointed out that there is and has long been an IHOP on FC Boulevard. I’ve even eaten there once so I have no excuses for my error. Even DJ gets it wrong once in a while.

We Gave Tanks

We had another wonderful Thanksgiving Day at #1’s abode yesterday. He made the bird and all the guests kicked in with some savory side dishes to make a fine feast. I actually took it relatively easy, only going back for seconds on the stuffing and green beans. My wife made two desserts, and Katie brought a huge pumpkin pie/crumble that I should have grabbed more of on the way out the door. #1 started us out with a cocktail tasting, beginning with a Last Word and finishing with a Black Manhattan, which contains Amaro Averna.  I’ve already added it to my next Total Wine order, per my wife’s instructions.  As #1 said, "We are all richer for knowing one another."

JLo also had a great Thanksgiving, and it was not staged at all.

RFK had a fictional Thanksgiving, swapping out the McDonald’s chow down from last year with some healthy fare. I guess if you can have a digital lover, you can have some photoshopped food.

That pic came from the Daily Beast, which I peruse daily because, as I’ve mentioned before in reference to my workouts, I am a beast. They have an interesting strategy in that many articles about Trump start with “Trump, 79” and they often refer to people in the administration as “goons”. No disagreement here.

Most of the Thanksgiving crew will be getting together again tonight.  We are having dinner at The Tonga Room before heading over The Masonic to see Sarah McLachlan. Many of the women have seen her a few times at the Lilith Fair, but this will be my first time. I’m anticipating a great show.

What’s a blog post without football? My week 13 began abysmally yesterday. I lost all three games but so did the majority of my opponents. I have Philly taking today’s game, but I am not very confident with that choice. Here are Sunday’s and Monday’s picks. Keep your money in your pockets this week.

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Breakfast

It’s the most important meal of the day, folks.  My usual is Bob’s Red Mill whole oats, prunes and a generous dollop of peanut butter.  It is a great start to an action-packed day, like I will have today, when I complete the trifecta at the posh club. I’m currently trying to beat the state octogenarian speed record in the haphazard swim stroke event.

Last week the wife and I went to breakfast at Toast in Town, a new, and as far as I know, only entry in the Foster City breakfast scene. It seemed a tad pricey, but I guess they gotta be able to pay their rent and make a profit. I got eggs, bacon and pancakes for $22.  It was very good, as was my wife’s omelet. I have another breakfast outing with TCG and #1 at San Carlos’ Broiler Express, which #1 describes as the quintessential greasy spoon.  He didn’t actually use the adjective quintessential, as big words are hard for him, but that is what he meant.

Dinner is also an important meal.  I get the night off tonight, as the wife is putting together this masterpiece.  She used SB1 and LGMG as test subjects when she was in DC, and she said all went well. You can find it in the NYT. It is one of 280 that we have saved, whereas we’ve actually cooked about 20. She will also be putting together a few dishes for our Thanksgiving dinner, graciously hosted by Barbie and #1. If I’m lucky I’ll walk away with some leftovers, making this an easy week in the kitchen.

Shall we talk about politics? Headlines and podcasts tell me Trump is in trouble, but the umber dastard still seems to be running the show, with the craven Republicans following along, except for MTG, whose resignation date ensures she gets her pension. His press secretary dismissed his “Quiet piggy” moment as frankness. How far wrapped around the axle do you have to be to come up with that one? I saw this headline and felt like telling him his Oval Office mantle does not count. 

OK, time for lunch, yet another important meal. I’ll be cranking up the soundtrack to The Harder They Come.

RIP Jimmy Cliff