Viral Vicissitudes

AH-Hem...Add-thensum. UM-M-M... A short amendment in the form of "and then...some" M-M-M-M... As in "plenty more of that...getting our money's worth and then sum..." A-H-H-H... On this last day in September, just prior to "October fest" (taking place this week in Houston) -- an opposite equation, chemical reaction than what I put up here 'yesteryear' or so it seems, that this baseball town, has seen a team like this. Kind of recalls the call from Tony...the Tiger, of course... "GR-R-REAT!"     

  Great, organic even...the Chemistry, we NOW have... "Won, with YOU" The flip (call it "B") side being..."It'd be a loss, with out you..."  "Feeling a bit squeezed?" I totally get it, coming from the... Otherwise torn between the two...undesirables? Whose plans, in effect, will, if past history is of any value, find U.S. (most of US in the so-called "middle class") -- the focus of so much attention, at least prior to...after which, find us, in effect, drawn and quartered: as in half and then, cut in half, again...adding up to paying all those so-called "fixed" (anything butt) expenses, on a broken in two, income... House-holders: In the UK and elsewhere the ones trying to hold down (AKA manage) the house, while they, in the non-belt tightening "Beltway" (an oxy-MORON if I ever saw one!) continue, after the election, to enjoy holding the purse...strings...  Unbalanced equations: The type of chemistry, reactions w...

A reffing referen-dumb: "It's your call..."    Or will  be...  Well, after the fact, when it's too late, to reverse the call or our tracks, as the case may be... Ouch, Out-takes: "If only ..." I had called for a different play...cast my vote differently...maybe, just maybe ...the outcome would also be...different... "If I only  knew then what..." Benefitting from hind-sight, looking in the rear-view, but only after feeling like you just got rammed there... "I could of, should of, would have..." Post game, campaign, polls... "Such great promise(s)" You'd think, after so many election cycles, seasonal let-downs, after the pre-season polls, adjusted seasonally for the off-season trades, once you vote, purchase your (hiked) season tickets, predicted outcome fades... "With experience comes..." Well, at least a modicum  as in a morsel, of wisdom, one would think... "Well, of course ..." Post game analysis, poli...

  Parent Drop Off, School Zones..."CU, later😃😟"  Orientation: Which, in our professional field, includes knowing your "time, place, and person" Or, when you're at your best, "Times Three" Well past the time when you had memorized your two's...During "Parent Orientation" at your school aged child's school, or even on campus these days, you learn as a parent when, where you are wanted (call it 'in-tuition'🤑), and where, when you are expected to simply, "drop off". Which, given the numbers and limited times can, if traffic is not directed accordingly, cause quite a bit of congestion, if not a "stir" ("you're in my #$^& way...!). So, having Rules and Regs, otherwise known as "protocol" for such a procedure, contained in the Parent Handbook (overlaps but areas of mutual exclusion from that labeled "Students Only") is understandable. But what happens when parents take this dire...

Beleaguered, Besieged, Be right over. States of diplomacy. Any yield signs...foreign or domestic? "Nyet" In short form: Not yet. The answer to the question posed many times this morning on both fronts...of the respective parties showing even an ounce of respect nor interest in yielding to any diplomatic measures, either those here as in domestically or those that have reached across the seas, as in "shuttle diplomacy"...going where and when, as in knowing when we are not wanted but needed...so we think...   "R We asking too much?" Well, maybe…given that we have had hard enough time resolving internal conflicts let alone those on foreign shores…  Kin-dread spirits, we R: If we can't even re-establish the so-called "friendly skies" by resolving our own air strike, how can we expect to get them to cease firing... Where Noreast meets the "far-out" wild, wild west: Which took horde of AD's meeting in closed quarters with TV exec'...

A run up...to the cup.   Before you...a-trophy. As in what's waiting, if you keep on running and...what's called in any campaign to anything that's worth anything..."sustaining a drive" as we around here and throughout the whole world...of sports and such, hear as what's "sustainable" these daze, versus what needs re-charging…short of the dreaded condition of reaching complete “burnout”😩 Walking it...back. Or at least an attempt...at a "graceful retreat..." from a previous position, opinion -- which is more often witnessed, experienced as more abrupt, as in basketball, "hoopsters" (admittedly an under covered sport here, despite being my earlier immersion, having played on two teams, simultaneously) -- a "pivot" -- a move we practiced in order to not be called out, for "traveling" 😟😠. Talk about an abrupt turnabout. Or, in baseball, after hustling to first, on your way to second, the ump signals..."back...

E! Sports.  I, before... "There is actually no I in..." Together which, in the sport of tennis, for one, an athletic contest which, in the case of "singles" still requires two matched individual 'players', whereas in the case of "mixed" doubles..."two pairs beats..." The latter being yet another common quote from a table top game, which in the case of tennis is simply, as one might e-magine it..."table tennis" Nice. Any, all, whether you are more of an active competitor, or side-lined by "turf toe" -- happens more on harder surfaces than real grass, according to most recent sports analysts -- ushering in a new age of sports... "You're On!" Even of you're off...the table. More likely under. As in making bets, that are not made public, thereby avoiding...taxes. As well as the counter in guess where, who are counting on YOU, to join in, make a bet on who, might be called in to replace "who-ever'...

"Stay still, will ya'...DEAR?"  Circle Time!: As in cycles, of circles, that have been with us since what, in history, not just to the current gens..."ancient of days" or, stated in a more recent book..."A Millenium...several being millennia..." How's that, all you so-called "Millennials" the ones that US "Boomers" look down, I mean back on...who just don't seem to appreciate the value of... A Good Read: Reading simply for enjoyment, otherwise referred to as leisure reading...brought to you not only, any more just when your "local public" library is open, but now an unlimited supply of your own "list" which can, if you prefer, remain private... Once U start: Which can, on occasion, begin, contrary to the age old "You can't tell a book by its cover" turning the paperback over and read the few passages designed as a "tickler" -- to encourage you to run home...get on the plane...or si...

  RU or do U have...spoiled milk? Reader in-digestion. Issuing...the challenge:  That is, what we used to experience, in waiting for the next issue, of any given publication (purchased usually on our behalf), whether it was through a "book-of-the-month club"...magazine subscriptions our parents bought to support our schools, most of which accumulated...dust bunnies. That is, having to at least wait for the next issue to come out, find its way to our mail box, or the long awaited arrival of the books, mags, etc. that were bought and paid for ("parental guidance") -- many of which due to a failure to read the "fine print"... Sub, Par: Historically, in the game of golf, considered your handicap, otherwise a measure of high achievement the lower it goes😕, but one in current nomenclature, will inevitably handicap you if you don’t acquire, reach the minimal standards, otherwise referred to as a measure, of “proficiency” — the one that an increasing number has j...

Getting out (moon) shined: The Great Vape State, of things... Shown up, sworn in: While we around here, who claim to be "Michi-ganders, Wolverines, Spartans...et al." can't claim to be the most industrious as far as out-producing those who produce the most booze, or even the most dedicated consumers of such, we now hold the so-called "illustrious" position of the one that has boosted the cannabis producers to a HUGE pot, of gold.  "The jury's out" Historically, and more recently it's become such a commonplace saying, it's found its way into our idio-matic phrases. As in, whether the so-called "majority opinion" as to whether or not, it was a good thing to pass this bill prior to finding out exactly what, but more so how   much  (THC) was going to be in...this stuff...    UP endings:  So how do you expect Mr. Juris Prudence to show up, when we now have the Highest Court, in the land? Better late, then...the so-called instructions t...

Picture Dazed, from (pre)cradle... "Just wave, and then crack, a smile..." A byte of a change of direction (see "Penguins of Madagascar”, the ones  featured in 9-15-24 post) as in making sure your hair (easier these daze for me, given how few...) is just..."so"... Coiffed and doffed: Fancy schmancy, high falutin' paparazzi pretentiousness. Translated for us newbies: "fix your hair, tip your hat..."  Striking...a pose: As in perfectly poised, whether it be trying to capture the earliest of moments, trying to arrange the ("Delivery Room") "just so"...which one would think would come naturally, given the earlier shots captured via ultrasound..."we're all ready Gopros...we've got this...aww crap, he's got cradle cap!" Speaking of... Cap-tive moments: When we, the ones that are the "so" called subjects are subject to being re-arranged, from our hair to where they want us to stand... It's what'...

Getting out-classed. "𝅘𝅥𝅮 See You in September...right?"  Getting further de-classified (see 8-31-24, for many happy returns)   Numbering the Stars: The future ones, that is. Trying to predict long...term. Many school semesters, broken down into "quarters", to see which might out-shine the others... Out-numbering: The ones that, according to brand new data released by our very own "Department of Education" that showed, while the category of students assigned to the "chronically absent" declined the past school year, it's still higher than the now, oft referred to as P.P. gen ("Pre-Pandemic, of course")...the MIA's that are absent more than 10% of school days...Ours is rated as one of the 'highest' (read on reader)... Correlation does not mean... An old saying from Stat 101, that just cuz two things, variables are highly correlated, presenting as parallel, does not  mean one actually caused the other, in either direction.....

FREE! As advertised. Applied Echo-nomics (what we hear over and...) "Wait until it goes on sale...offered for FREE" One old saying that gives way, after mega-bucks have been spent... "If you think it's expensive now, wait until it's free" The updated saying, after the echo-nomic learning curve has proceeded ("you'd think we would have learned by now...") "You heard it right" Another saying that is likely an echo of the first, that what you just heard, while seemingly "too good to be true"...warrants repeating, as in drumming it into U.S.... "A free exchange" Of ideas, is what they, the advertisers of "The Debate!" promised us, but what turned out to be, as expected from earlier experience with such venues...more like "fair trade😕😖" of insults...Which is why, we come to the conclusion, they need more than one so-called moderate-er... Riot gear: What they both agreed on, as have those from both ...

"Sitting Pretty"   "P-lease...sit, stay...still"...  So Much: For standing on "their own two feet"..."being on solid ground"..."holding their position". All of which have cross-domain apps. Highly sought after... "Assume, the Position" Even though we were taught not to assume anything...for obvious reasons...but these daze, after they left us...guessing... Cracking down: "Get your butts, and keep them there...until I direct you other-wise, you wisenheimer🤣😟...the ones that are trying their best to crack up not only their buddies, but the entire class...of aspiring crack-ups... "I'll not stand, for this..." Or that, as it turns out. Hard to tell what they'll with-stand...as I continue my best, to test their patience...just what are the new rules & regs. that are found in the so-called "unwritten rules" -- the ones that leave us little "wiggle room" (always thought it would be coo...

Trans In-actional Analysis: What's in it...?  Me, Myself, I - We three. In brief: Or perhaps better viewed by these new generations of bill passers, payers...a short-cut on the longer version requiring sustained attention and assiduous study😔😠...What has evolved to "Pass this bill and then we'll find out what's really  in it..." Or something like it, is what the "Speaker" spoke..."We need to pass this bill so that you can find out what is in it" FOR YOU. Is what she left out, but what would have gotten the attention, of the ones that are being en-titled... Me Gens: The "boomers" were among the first to be referred to as the ones that ushered in a new age of narcissism, followed by the Me Too's and finally, almost a matter of natural course, the Me Me Me Mellennial types, who are casted as the ones where narcissism itself was not sufficient but now the "lazy, entitled" subtype who "still live with their parents...

Flipping out, about inner where... Wear it all begins... As with U.S., the "registered, most likely to..." get out and vote. This, after posing as the "man on the street" who answers the casually posed questions..."So, do you support the following statement...positions...policies...politicos?"  Asked and Answered: "I'll just tell them what they want to hear..." So said many an adolescent, whose parents had coerced them to come and talk to me, on my turf... In stark contrast: When and where the same individuals are given a setting in which to really  air their grievances...as well as state their case, lay their claim...on what really  matters to them...what affects their daily lives...#%@&😠$$$$!!! ("my daily allowance") Tables have turned: As in flipped over...where polls of not only registered, but those who are polled, who actually go to the polls, driving the so-called canvassers crazy... Before, after, what they're after...

So much sniping, post hyping... "Just a little bit..." Dangerous, that is. What they accused the other party as being, rather than standing...on their own positions...😕...didn't you, like me see them, shifting positions...like they were told, showed to do, in order to avoid locking their knees, when standing in one place too long...prevent one from keeling over...? Is that why so many politicos shift so much...?  "Debt threats" As in what one side is accusing the other of mounting...when both are just about equally capable, I mean culpable, in not being able to reign in their spending habits...No wonder the middle class, find themselves feeling "squeezed"...😠!!! "Who's more liable...?"  To win, that is, in the present context and usage of the word. Well, according to a commentary by BBC the morning I posted this (two days prior to "The Debate!" so it's a post pre-view, of sorts) -- a news org. that just loves to comment on...

Voice "over...and out"  Three parts Harmony: As we, around here, have learned, "Harmony" is not easy to find, let alone achieve. Including that in the context of voice lessons where the teacher instructs the aspiring students how to bring, into harmony -- pitches, frequencies, and chords -- simultaneously. Not so easy, eh? And then there's the speech and language specialists, who remind us of the impact-fullness of three parts of our voices, while simply speaking to others, the effect, as well as affect, it can evoke. Namely, volume, tone, and cadence. A rarity when the Creator, then, sought and then brought to us the gift of all of these wrapped up in the personhood of James...Earl...Jones (can you hear him still?). "Save your breath" So said Ben Burtt, the sound design expert of Star Wars, whose 'heavy breathing' accomplished with the aid of a scuba mask allowed J.E.J. to concentrate on the voice quality and words of one Darth Vader... Poetic...

Yipe, the Hype! Crazed, phased fans: At least we around the metro area we claim during such times as our "home...town" will be if the kick-off of this hyped up "post, almost Super Season" is even a half harbinger...Given the later starting time (to allow the "west coast offensive" types as they are oft referred to in this seasonal sensation)...the cardiac 'counter-play' (if you're not a true fan, student, analyst, you won't connect here) and the OT finished, us off... Lions, liars: Where the true fans among us who present in the workplace, in the zoom rooms as dreary eyed but nonetheless bushy tailed...versus those who come as if they actually got a good night's sleep...  Restore: The roar at night, snore...at your desk, or wherever you can catch a few winks... SADS? Nope, no signs yet, of this seasonal disorder, that tends visit us in the more northern climes, at least as long as our home team can keep this up, we'll stay up, as we...

"How did we wind up...?" B-ball and all... Fair, foul Q & A: As in fielding questions, left and right...about how, why, if you are a so-called "seasoned professional" and you studied the game film, made the right moves, did a final pre-game prep regarding the type, timing of signal calling you and your partner agreed on, in order to catch them...getting the vibe yet?  Off, on field conditions: As what anyone, no matter how often they practice, simulate, go to, what's known as PGA tour card holders, those who play to par, and all the rest of us 'duffers' (no wonder they call it "handicapping") refer to the "driving range" -- a place where, before letting us loose on the actual course, as in driving (see the connections yet?), the ability to stay on course ("fair....way" get it????)...just not quite the same...no matter how well you teed up, teeing off, getting the thing to fly straight... "It's your delivery...

Post Holiday Post: Hats off, on... Depending: On which post you are reporting to. After taking, for instance, what in the UK is simply called "holiday" -- which, due to no "a" in front of, shortens it a bit, which is curious, ironic, given how many they seem to take in some EU locales. Whereas in schools, last time I checked, is still covered by the Code of Conduct... Coming back out: Of your abodes, where, based on all those peeking pixels we've been seeing as we stroll the hood, no matter the hour, has kept most of you cozy, perhaps a bit come-place... Out of the would work: As in the post AI world of work, where we workers initially got cozy ourselves, allowing all those bots to walk about, take up those boring, monotonous tasks that we came to see as being below us (sometimes literally, as in no longer bending down to tie our shoes...replaced by slip-ons...) Which saw the workplace becoming a bit crowded ("You can stay home one, two daze each week, as w...

School, aged children: Studies in tuition.   Age-ism: Just when most individuals from U.S. boomer Gen (born 1946-1964) have already elected to take their hard-earned Social Security checks, and otherwise finding themselves on Medicare, after having "aged out" of other opportunities, the recently coined "Schools of Life Long Learning" have opened their doors, offering an unlimited number of courses they never encountered in their so-called "formal" or even more incidental learning. Many free of tuition -- at least the type we are accustomed to prior to being allowed into the so-called "hallowed halls" of higher learning (the latter being boosted a bit by what's now legalized). Just when the majority of those who have reached the age where "downsizing" is manifested in part by purging -- including attempts to rid themselves of information irrelevant to the task at hand...just in order to...place an order, for instance. Along comes som...

Post Labor Day Post: School Daze "Didn't sign up for this!" Neither did the son of the master engraver who had little choice but join his father in the family business. But at the end of a long career, after doing so on behalf of thousands of others...finally made a name for himself... "Rise and Shinola!" Especially popular around here, the home of not only watches, but also another two wheeled thing they're pedaling to us, that will assist getting there on time, especially if we didn't bother to look at that wrist watch... "Butts in the seats!" An alternative form of transportation which would not be complete without the "grouchy!"😠😟 bus driver, who reminds us what in schools is called a "pre-requisite" for departure...which will allow us just a little wiggle room, prior to being told where ours now belong prior to the school bell (whatever voice over is subbing for it these daze)... "No more pooling around!" We...

Laborious Non-glorious? Essentials of our World Of Work U still working? As in "for a living"...or have you been replaced after being, in your first annual review, rated as an "efficient"..."effective" and even "essential" employee (as in the ones, the "only essential employees need report...") If I'm not essential why did they offer me a contract...?  Don’t ask me; I’m just a robot.  Where's the glory...?  As in repeating what others have done..."I'm getting bored, as in it's so #%*@ repetitive..."  Wages and rages: Or perhaps I have the wrong order, as first we raged against the so-called "machine" and then struck for better wages...a bare minimum, on to a living age and finally, what everyone else seems to be getting these daze..."a fair wage for an honest day’s work"😕😖 -- the latter condition giving rise to what's frequently called, a condition affecting workers and employers alike...

Flip flops...all about U.S.   It's what's (not) showing: As in the parts of the body that are hidden from camera, more so these days in "zoom" rooms, what you can get away with...at least from what's traditionally termed mid-drift...speaking of... Worn out sayings: The ones that hearing so many times the pollsters finally get the numbers telling them we are tuning out...that finally  the so-called "content creators" come up with a new name for the thing that in our daze were termed "thongs" which as in all things in the fashion industry (and due to a byte of censoring) replaced by the omni-present things that leave minimal..."a smaller footprint" -- as if I wasn't even there...at least my steps were covered by shifting alliances, I mean sands... "Frick frack, I take it back..." This, curiously following "Let me be clear...have no fear..." This from one side of the proverbial line, in the sand... "Fire away...