Viral Vicissitudes

Best in, out of class...declassified. Out-classed: As in, while even showing up, you could still get... Bested: While not showing up could get you "busted...Buehler..." getting bested is more a function of actual performance, especially that measured by a so-called standardized tests ("so-called" given how many accommodations getting made these daze)... Bestie to worstie: How we, as we progress through school and our parents, remind us..."you'll be partially judged based on who you affiliate, hang around with...where they fall on the percentile range..." Which was, for our state, locale, and even broken down by school, once again, a whole range of (under)performance, at least in the area known as ELA, no LOL -- nope, no laughing matter, this...down-ward trend, which has gone from bad, to...you guessed it... Whereas in "do the math" -- while not adding up to what we traditionally call 'bragging rites" at least hasn't slipped as mu...

Taking it, in stride..."just take it from me, would ya?!" (aka "easier said than done...") Quite a reach: That is, stretching the Olympic coverage well beyond...and literally, as in from Paris to LA LA land...and its environs which, in the context of the most recent games, the "surf's up!" stretched all the way to Tahiti and its own environs, namely Teahupo'o (purchasing vowels will cost you dearly)...whereas in the vicinity of LA, just a stone's throw (assume you are good at skipping) from what's called in "The Games" as the "Main Venue" -- while Pacific in nature, has already caused a bit of a tussle between (Lower) Trestles and Huntington Banks, I mean Beach-heads...   Breaking "it" down: Into it's component parts, of course. Each of which is essential, but not sufficient, to make it, complete. As in going from start to finish, in the most efficient way possible. Even if it does not eventuate, in setting...

RU Better Off... Or   On... than a little less (T minus 5 days) than four months past? A new twist on an age-old question. One that we now, ever since Ronnie Regan delivered it in the midst of economic conditions that came to be known as "stagflation"...one we have become accustomed to at least every four years, especially on what's curiously termed the "eve" of a national election -- more so by the party seeking to un-seat...But here, while it's the pre-dawn of a new day and month, I felt it timely to survey your individual and collective opinions, since four months passed (close enough) the month that was set aside to raise our awareness, as in "May is Mental Health Awareness Month" (among a few other designations, of course). So you, me, we, can't claim ignorance as an excuse here... Ouch, that smarts! As in, despite our now raised level of collective consciousness, ever since M.H.A.M. became a thing (i.e., 1949, were you even aware?) and th...

"Can't you just give me some credit?" Question💲 worth asking... "Got milk...?"  Or...you name it, as in what cost-ed you in 1999, on the eve of the "new millennium" $2.87 is now accosting you, in 2023 -- the eve of a YOUJ! election year (which one is cast otherwise?)..."due to the inflationary cycle they are responsible for..." $4.18. More like skimmed, milked, after getting bilked, eh? As in consuming more of your hard earned, in-come...So much for the "Inflation Reduction Act"...  "What's in your wallet...?" More, than likely...a favored, as in "Savored" one, the only one you'll ever need, that saves you money, (almost) every time you get it out...swipe it...tap it...any way you like it. Sounds more, to me, like "As You Like it...a play in which fighting, betrayal, general disharmony..." A staged play, earning critical review... "Scored any credit?" As in "Haven't we learne...

A double, take on power-full couplings- AI and I Double the pun fun: Always thought that you either referenced..."doesn't take a brain surgeon" or  "...rocket scientist..."  That you either had one or the other as a reference point, given that the audience you are entertaining, the company you are keeping, is just shy of...Sometimes to used to simply illustrate a point, whereas others an act of belittle-meant...Whereas, when used to reflect what attributes, in some type of combination that come together in an occupational calling... "My mind's made up..." Of gray matter, that may end up, based on the interview I heard, an (AI-ish) update on this specialty, as in "A mind's a terrible thing to waste...we try to keep it together but sometimes bits and pieces end up on our sleeve, even on the bottom of our shoes..." A specialty that doesn't call on those who are thin skinned, given all the thick skulls and stuff, they have to drill th...

Speaking of, Odd, Coupling...just trying to even up the sides (see 8-18-24...speaking of odd evens)  In Brief: An oddity, "in and of itself" -- that is, the ability (or is it the willingness?) to keep things...versus getting blogged, bogged down, in excessive details..."this time I promise..." Either/or: "How about neither/nor...?" Or at least give us, the ones who are forced with such a "forced choice" format...just one alternative...to this so-called "two party" system, from which I just prefer to part --"Set a heading for..." Splits-ville!: A place, time where split tickets (at least we're heading in the right direction here, as freedom of choice...) either in the primary phase or more...generally...But, alas..."After further review...the ruling on the field...the outcome remains un-decided, dube-US even...😕😠"  Comings, goings: "Wouldn't it be more accurate to say, what I was more inclined to do......

 Parisian Pause, French Faire  Just when…I at least was “over all this…” turns out they aren’t. This revel-nation, basking in the glow of NBC’s Olympic ratings, sent me a reminder that even when I come across something as plain as granola - “Vanilla” in particular, putting the word “French” first sets a higher set of expectations, as in (cultivated)  taste... It's only faire...that we (well, the ones that sport the golden arches) still feature the best French Fries...

Allow Me, to Intro-Deuce You, to a couple of Power Couples, along with their Vices... Haven't U2 met, yet? If not, you're one of the few left. After they've been jet setting around. As in coming to your home, town, hall (together which make up those "town hall" events)..."we didn't miss you, did we...well, there's still time to de-posit, I mean post, I mean cast your vote(s)...as in early and often as you please...as you know we are here to...say whatever you find pleasing to your ears, what you yearn for, no matter your earning power...Yeah, that's what we are hear, tele-prompted to show you, our power as a couple...as in power brokers...pooring it on!" As if: Never thought of them two-gether? It's like they're (old saying, don't take too literally) "glued at the hip" (if you look at the "footage" you'll notice it's more of a clasp, of hands, fists). Inseparable. As in a natural coupling...at least com...

Parisian Lull-a-bye... hello Dulls-ville.   A break in the action: So it seemed to me, whose tastes are (apparently, due to the post ceremonious interviews) a byte un-refined, as in "dull and un-sophisticated". Guess, as in so many matters of art and entertainment..."it's just me"...😒 "A lot going on down there" So says the art, film, fashion critic...and so said the ones "in the booth" that were either really good actors themselves, as in "oohing and ahh-ing" at the right times and places...of which there were plenty of space for, given all the lulls... "Rescue me🎜!" Was all I could conger up, especially the version we, from around Motown, grew to know and love, from the likes of Fontella Bass -- a bit misleading, given that her voice range was higher while her hometown a bit south...As in "Meet me in St. Louis" At least this would be a more welcome mix, as in "come on, mix it up a bit, don't be so......

SRO...SOL...BYO$...O.O! Slippery Slope, given enough dope (and dupes). LOL! "Don't just stand there!" Usually followed with yet another co-mand...do something! But what is one to do but stand, when all the other seats have been either taken or curiously stated, "spoken for"...? Other-wise, these daze, experienced as "can't scrounge up enough t pay even for a nose bleed seat...I'll just stand through the whole performance...don't worry about me..." Which is still, while limping around the next day, you look back on it, and all those who couldn't even afford the SRO 'seats' - the ones that we, as we grew, brought into our financial literary lexicons...SOL's ("If I didn't have bad luck, I'd have none at all!") - the ones that could not even begin entertaining the thought of...Who were joined by the group who were invited, but at a cost or otherwise found an * on their invitation...as in "bring your own......

Post Paris Post: After the Clothes...some laundering (lingering if you prefer) ??? Remain behind. I ask my-Self: "Why-oh-why do I continue this far into my career, find my-self having to renew a "license to practice" when all the 10,500 +/- athletes competing in 45 different events only had to show up, in order to "play". I want an appeal...but where and to whom?" I ask U.S. collectively: "Why do we continue to hold dear, as in 'precious metals'...gold, silver, platinum (?!)...all of which can be found under code name/number ISO 4217...whereas Bronze, according to one local reporter and some contestants, was the one they found to have more a-ppeal?" If you want the answer, I triple dog dare you to ask Jordan, and friends...   I ask those among you: who bothered to stay up and watch "Live": "How will you, your-self, alter your floor routine, after all this is over...after walking your floors all hours of the night...?" ...

"RU Knot even, the least byte...interested? UR future is tied..."  Up, Down: As in rates...interest rates, as well as rates...of interest. Which, as any economist, and those running away...as in distracting themselves from reality. Eventually, as both "Econ" and "Psych!" majors will tell you..."the future will come, regardless of how long and fast, even if as in a relay, you pass the baton...on to future gens...it will catch up with you...you can't out-run UR shadow, ya' know..." See how this all, as in Olympic coverage, pending, past elections, here, there...heroes, Euros... "You'll (eventually...) pay for this (monetary policy)" As in both economic and/or psychological tolls, which may, based on the whole "Zero down, no interest...for ? months, years, generations....just pass it on...as easy as kicking a can..." I mean, isn't everyone doing it, isn't there actually, as the ad says, regarding loans and the...

From getting all decked out...to being dressed down. Parisian styling. It's what's showing: As in on the red carpet, well beforehand -- all the stars (not necessarily talking "athletics" here...show up, just to...show off the latest, greatest (?) gowns and 'get-up'...collections of 'designer where' (as in just where  do they get these ideas?). Exposures ("bottoms up!") and their counter-parts...("nice bathing suit...cover-up") As well, as...all the Aftermath: After the math and numerical recombinants of "style" points, combined with "level of difficulty" or, more simply put, whose gold, silver chain managed to break through the finish line (laser), who first donned their country's flag ('at the ready' it seems) and then perhaps a wreath around their neck ("careful, don't get tangled with the rest of the golden leaves already there...") and then, finally, with some precious metal... Taxin...

Holding out, for a Knew set of arrange-meants... Re: arrangements: As in I have a byte of rearranging to do, my-self, the post host, in order to make room, for this (welcome) development...  A whole range of (special) arrangements: Ranging from what are known historically, legally, and in diplomatic circles -- the latter which, while circular in motion (which often find them going in...round and round, yet another round of negotiations..) in reality, are an attempt to 'square' things, set them straight...an attempt to bring all "interested parties" to the table (which is most often only a META-phor, for a place that exists that is more often a hybrid of "back channels" and "midnight oil" -- where people that remain anonymous to the rest of us remain toiling away...as in "late night negotiations" in order that the ones of main concern might, once again, see the "light of day" -- literally. Loved ones that are very well known to t...

Just Du-et! ("It takes two...baby...🎝...just maybe...🤑) Like Me and You, right?! Punctuated, well intended, for you and for me, for affect... Just what does it take? "Well, it doesn't take a Genius"...this time to figure this out...the new equation... A writer, a singer... plus a (under)writer, a ringer... Golden Oldies... Olympic Gold...diggers! "That's all she wrote..." (As in "abrupt! termination of a project, one's hopes, dreams...") "Too early to tell..." That is, I don't yet have enough information, especially facts to give you the whole story...I'd be making a judgement call...I'd be pressed to...(doesn't seem to stop them, "The Press" from doing so, these daze, does it..."I think she's going to come out and hit it...slip up...choose so-and-so...") --talk about the twisties! "Time will tell..." Along with a horde of what we grew up with, known semi-fondly as gossip column...

"...Going to Jamaica...Whoa-Man!"  (as in "and the gold medal goes to...")  Only in Your Dreams: As in unfamiliar territory, as in most of us aren't really familiar with what daily life looks like, even though it gets featured every four years or so  -- hardly at all in the Winter, Olympics, except what's become somewhat of a spectacle, as opposed to lots of actual spectators on the scene, for the "bob-sleigh" teams, which debuted in the form of two-men sleds in 1988, up north in Calgary...which was finally followed by two Jamaican Women in 1988... "No Woman, No Cry" One of Bob Marley's greatest hits which, as any "Genius" knows, is "...a call to a woman in his life to be positive, not to worry..." The royalties of which helped to sustain one of the co-writer's soup kitchen...keep running... Familiar Territory: For track stars which are, in the Olympics, at least, referred to as "Athletics" which tend...

Oops! I Did it...again! 🎝 (not quite done, as IT turns out...)  "There You go again" A line from then candidate Ronald Reagan, that he practiced almost to perfection, prior to using it in a debate format while jousting with incumbent President "Jimmy" Carter. Followed in kind by "I won't hold my opponent's youth and inexperience against him..." Two highly effective one liners that, while soft in not having any four letter variety, more vociferous...vitriolic...voluminous...voice overs (as in interruptUS) were actually harder hitters, more effective in both disarming his opponent and pointing the people watchers in another direction. Speaking of deflecting... Space shields: The manufacturers of such, that had the foresight to begin mass manufacturing of all sizes, types, that will apparently serve US and Them in the future, given the amount, size of "Space debris studied from every angle..." What's literally...in store for us. May as ...

Add-dem-dumb (added 'material') Left Be-hind: As in the rear...view mirror (what did you think I meant?) What I failed to mention yesterday here...prior to wrapping,...er...rolling up the TP. It's been 'swirling around' in my head (which is, either ironic or co-incidence, depending on whether you are an English major or nautical type, that it's -- the head, is where one goes, heads to...go, on a ship...) In either case...as in whether it swirls in a clockwise, or counter, is due in turn to the Coriolis effect, an optical illusion of sorts which, in either case, depends on a... Flush! As being suddenly flush with cash, after the other party lent you a hand by almost throwing away their upper hand, watching it go down the drain ("what a waste!")... "Swirly... You must be kidding!" As in you're not actually going to go and get 'foot-in-mouth' disease at this critical time, are you...?!  Plunge! Go ahead, you've been waiting for t...

All rolled up, butt TPTP... followed by Lines of Logic (LOL) adding up to turds, of encourage-meant... Been there, done that: As in, despite a long history of performing at the 'top of your game' and all that you have accomplished, and feeling you still aren't quite done...you're just not feeling you have enough left...in the tank, so to speak...as in..."all...pooped...out..." More succinctly, simply stated... "Too Pooped to Participate!" I mean it. Just not up to snuff. Feeling a bit flushed even...do I look it?     Speaking of flushed… "You're going down!" That's the Creed, that a reigning champ frequently follows, to intimidate a so-called "contender" -- sometimes even before the debate or another contested event, even begins...we're talking trash, speaking of "Drano!" here... "Paper or Plastic...poop and pee..."  They're all in there together and you're telling me it's "Ok to go...