UpperWestside

I’m a long-time ASU supporter and ordered some clothing this week. By long-time I mean this summer since I started a masters program with them. It’s a degree I really want though and the football program seems to be in that early stage where they could be a fixture near the top of the Big XII standings. The school is in a major metropolitan area which is something almost no schools in the rest of the conference can say. Just gotta beat the Mormon National team this week. Easier said than done because they play some really good defense. Still I’m excited to watch this game against the Cougars. Get this one and then it’s a battle for the state title against Arizona and trip to Dallas against Colorado for the conference title. Who would have ever predicted that going into the season?

Finally got to see Conclave tonight. I loved it, but I also love watching UK shows so this was right in my wheelhouse. Just some great acting with three guys in particular in Fiennes, Tucci and Lithgow that I really enjoy.

I watched Bonhoeffer two days ago. The people who need to see it will not. I enjoyed it even if it was not entirely accurate. Still it resonated with me.

So far the indications would point in that direction. It’s only 14 games in and just his fourth game since he was made a starter, but yes he looks like a guy that can give consistent point production. The only thing holding him back is himself. AD said they still have to convince him that he needs to shoot more often. Thanks to the Pelicans front office for the gift of letting us retain this pick.

Dalton Knecht just had himself a game. Might come back on the floor, but he put up 37 on 9-11 from deep in a little over three quarters. Looks like the Lakers might finally have a consistent third scoring option.

I think the EU steps up since we will not be doing so. They are going to have to take care of their own security concerns for at least the next four years. England might even step in because, well, it’ll all be on the table with us withdrawing military support soon. I would not at all be shocked to see the EU send troops to Ukraine, especially Poland and other nations that used to be part of the old Iron Curtain. Finland sure as heck would join that group. Maybe we can get one Finn to go real life SISU on the Soviet goons.

I totally get this and why that woman gets so excited. Her day has been made for helping out family back home. The couple I had said it to me and I have said this for a few years now when I get Argentinians. The ones that can travel are few in number. They would not be considered filthy rich by American standards, but by their standards they are the 1 percent. It’s sad when you hear these stories and the context they are given in. I hope that woman that has that gallery you show stuff at is doing well. I like having unique art so once I get moved to Hawaii I would be interested in buying something from her and getting it shipped there. I am sure we have a few folks on Surly that would buy some stuff from her knowing we would be helping out folks who need it.

So Argentinians are a somewhat rare thing to run across here when it comes to tourists. I met a couple who are here that live in Miami. They are here studying and working off the books. They explained how dire things are monetarily by saying that she could make 8k a month here, but back home she would make the equivalent of 1500 USD doing the same job. They think we are off our rocker to put a crazy person back in office because they see enough of a nut job back home. Still they hope to stay here solely because they can both earn more with a work visa here if they get one.

I see you ate responsibly after that.

Why not both? But yes in general very few servers are going to save this money. It’s a waste that should be spent on government programs that can actually help people. Take that proposed cut and instead give the money to jobs programs for veterans to help them integrate back into society with more job skills that can help them live better lives. Handing out money on the form of tax cuts on tips is just high comedy.

This is something that should be said far more often. Our military can be trusted. I would not hesitate to say that some officers will not stand down even when Trump attempts to remove them. It’s going to be quite the battle of wills. I’m still siding with our military and their constitutional oath over the maga cult.

I want to say that I am not a real big fan of the proposed tax cuts on tips. While that would add around 900-1100 to my bank account 11 months out of the year (I take one month and head off for a vacation as far away from Americans as I can get), it is a really unsound tax policy to undertake. This money is not going to go to savings for most of the people receiving this tax break. It is a farce and hopefully someone in Congress realizes that the math on this is going to hurt more Americans than it will help. I suppose the hurt part is part and parcel with Trump’s America though.

Last long region I trip for Lampasas this week. They will meet Dumas in Andrews this Friday. Lampasas will drive 305 miles to get there and Dumas a little over 280. The next round should be in Waco with Brownwood the possible next opponent if they can beat West Plains. If not it’ll be a 3rd long bus ride. At least this year there will be no repeat of the bus driver completely screwing over any chance Lampasas had to win their 2nd round game last year against Alice by taking a route that put them squarely into rush hour traffic and got them to their game late. I think @4thand5 can tell this story better than I can as his father knows all those details. An aside to this is in early June the entire Andrews High School band visited NYC and I took care of them. Really nice kids and probably the most well mannered group of people I have ever had. It’s rare to hear someone say yes sir and whatnot, especially a teenager. Those young Texans were really nice and so were the adults that came along with. I told them to watch out for Lampasas since they could meet in the playoffs, but they went and did every Badger fan a solid. They beat Burnet 35-21 last week. Any team that beats Burnet is a favorite of mine.

The Great McDonald’s plague of 2025 will start in the White House. The National Champion Longhorns will be the unwitting first victims of the tainted double quarter pounders. Pity the toilets on the plane ride back to Austin.

I am a very ardent supporter of the people in our military. I believe they take that oath they took to the Constitution seriously. Push comes to shove I am of the belief that our military will tell him to kick rocks on harming American citizens. For me the historical perspective comes from looking at how the Japanese were sworn to protect the Emperor. Not the people, but the Emperor and their honor first. It was not an oath to a document of ideas for the country. It was an oath to defend their Emperor to their very last breath and then it was off to Yasukuni Shrine.