Viral Vicissitudes

Getting tougher, to be a stuffer - a stocking feat🧑‍🎄🫣 Starting with... the whole affair of hanging them with care. It's not so much the chimney issue, or even having to run out one more time to the hardware store, to get the correct hangers - - it's more the hangers-on, the ones who refuse to go up to bed, who won't give (Santa) a minute of quiet to go about his business  -- along with all the new tricks of their trade, getting released this time each year -- Prime example being "catching Kringle"... On to the subject of penny candy... which, based on the collective experience of coin operators and pawn shop penny hoarders, tell us why even "penny stocks" have runs in them, costing day traders sleepless nights -- and they thought it was sugar plums causing the midnight high... Topping it off... the icing on the cake, the creme de la creme, the most important part of the stuffing, is the personalized MAGA-zine I try to select for the people and creatu...

Keys to the game, always the same - Santa Pause Through the ages and sages… passing down the wiz-dumb, of how ("Hee hee"😉) pulled it off… The long game… “if you're going to stay out all night better make one more pit stop…”  Form fitting… “if I’m going to keep this Santa suit fitting nice and tight, going to need a lot of cookies”  Crowd pleaser... when each and every year, we heard the crowd cheer, when the mayor handed the "Big Guy" the keys to city, granting him unlimited access, the Big Buy in... Adult teaser... what we imagined the mayor whispered in his ear..."third key from the left is for the executive washroom, just in case you want to freshen up" Contemporary sub-version… “I assure you kids, he’s on his way, just must have gotten re-routed LOL” Same old story... "Santa gets all the glory, while we lose sleep"

“Welcome to the HSL…” Dress appropriately… as in layers - despite this being the first full day of winter here, the advice is always in season, given the reasons: one, being that you can tear off one jersey when we get ripped off again, the other being no need to over dress when walking from one stadium to the other ball park, given how they are strategically situated (as in not a far cry off)…whereas might want to at least carry a scarf when traversing  to the LCA: "about .8 miles...out on Woodward Avenue🎜" -- a place where the hotter teams are playing on ice or on alternate nights, a sheet that’s been boarded over (see the multi-layered meaning here?) and where, on the one hand a strong goaltender is called for whereas in the other the goal is to not get called for “goaltending” (a condition that occasionally occurs if you’re caught swatting away shots, while above the net😳)… Weather or not …which, back at the scene of the grime (a cross between gridiron and crime) we aro...

“Write on, Q!” A U and eh? Think Wick!   At least that’s the sound of it, as in Sine Wa None…Latin for “Without which not…” correctly spelled Qua Non. As in other parts of our alphabet that can be under appreciated, without which the sound blends…wouldn’t. With some letters making others more pronounced and others, more Wyat (that’s how it would B, without U, Q) - let alone how the cool Q cumber would look, sound, in a “qunch!” type of Onomatopoeia arrangement -- let alone all those liwids you take in, to wench your thirst. All this prompted by someone having to memorize a huge number of info on 3X5 (or cue) cards, which were waiting, in their Q. The number of which made me wake in my boots. Very dis-wieting. Should have known it was all in the cards, the ones that in school seemed to be all about me, were actually, right on U… Disquietude - A state of anxiety, uneasiness...which has dominated the set after his sad disappearance...."The World is Not Enough" (1999) is aptly na...

Feeling the scorn, of porn? You're not alone... several surfing surveys say "...have had more than their fill"  From binge on to cringe…worthy, of a look ? Before there was porn, there was consensus... as in obscenus, the (Latin) root of all things most of us found offensive, filthy, back then..."YUCK!" Then along came indecent proposals... that most turned down, while Hollywood made it a hit, where the lack of decency played out right before millions of onlookers...making it the sixth grossest film of 1993. "Gross me right out!" From SMUT stuff, on to salacious… Prurient interests... "this is pure garbage!" (waste of time, not worth watching...them) - but usually only after the long voyeur is over (voyeuristic being a fancy name for peeping Tom....) or reaching what in the porn industry, has yet to be experienced, as in sneak peek 🫣 capacity... Several courses and forces... decades of decadence concurrent with a decrease in cinematic excell...

Boxing, dazed? Many Un- happy returns  Too much punch, and not enuff lunch … Taking multiple hits, while in the head … Partial explanations for this special day after... The actual origin... I came, to find out, first being the last and now finally first, in line... The true reason for yet another reason to pout, just one week out... “We’d be more than happy to take your…back, accept our product, no matter whether it's new or "slightly used"...   Just bring it back... in its original packaging😰   New it all along... Boomers were we...conditioned by TV, and even prior, on audio input (e.g. "Little Orphan Annie") ... well, in advance of the "coupon clipper" gen... Never too early, nor too often... to start saving all those box tops..."stash them, then cash them in, for cool stuff" Boxing Day 2025... brought to you, by cereal numbers.com

When a gambler’s dream plays out… Inside the White House…” setting things strait” Only a fool, would bet… against this White House, and its speaker…”I’ll speak for the whole lot of them #}%*!” Current vetting line… that every time he opens his mouth the King’s speech will butcher the Queen's English  Vegas fright night...  the trump card that gives pit bosses fits - “Predictably” (where one of a kind, beats a full House)

  Here we go…wince again  Hardly been a fort nite, mite...  Poking the bear… as in our current head, of state, that caused some to get re-instated…”No nude news from Nairobi…” Staying rawt on shedule... sports, well what they arrogantly term "athletics" -- a blithe commentary on some, that apparently, if you listen to them are...MIA..."New York Islanders, playing hookey"  Pronouncement on past pres… at least it’s the way I heard it this morning - “When JFK stood his ground…a three part series on the bum…”  World News coverage from ByeBye C... and their foreign correspondents, which sure sounded foreign to me...  

Nerf turf wars, babes  in Toy Land, toiling… "Knock ‘em down...!" (without having to pick them back up…a child’s dream, come true)...an explosion of plastics... The graft of (mine) craft… “ it was mine idea all along…”  T hink Tanks - "let the adults think about them, and we'll test them, in our home lavatories, along with sink 'em…subs, in our tubs! " Butt only if they can get around the navel blockade 😳 The return of block parties… earlier envisioned as (Lincoln) log jam, "that are blocking the #$%^ door!" Card trick games (good for stocking stuffers)... from our house on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue...where one of a kind beats a Full House...the Presidential Veto card (good to keep one on hand, just in case)  Oh, so you want some bored games… Mini Monopoly… sib rivalry, complete with hostile takeovers - “Your move bro!” Puny Politics… as in the higher you climb, the bigger the golden parachute you’ll need…"see ya ladder!"  Playing with do...

Truancy and false test (for those "late start Monday Moaners")  Last in class -  as in beyond tardiness, these are the phantom pupils, who only show up, on paper. The ones that are only getting counted, as the true reason schools are failing even the pre-test. The one which is comprised of the simplest of formulas, beyond those that use various computational derivatives for figuring out much each local district will get back, from the state's formula for per pupil funding, which is in turn a multiple of two different days per year. While nearly 388,000 of our home-groan kiddos are going about the business of what out, in the world of labor shortages, is called "quiet quitting" -- simply not showing up. AKA "chronically absent". Where biz and the business of teaching the future "workers of tomorrow" share an alarming concern is that on the simplest of tests, they're not even answering...the alarm. Which inevitably leads to the multiple cho...

Know acceptable substitutes, for Thyme (?)   Of the essence, essential ingredient… Along with energy and money… All which come in short supply, especially this time of year as in seasonal, when more are seasoning stuff… No thyme like the present; no present like thyme... Thyme's running out... A pour replacement...as in liquid substitutes…thyme is easily liquidated - “waste not, want…🙄” "Well, let me try and carve out some..." Talk about artificial! In order to be present, you have to give it, your full attention - anything else, comes out tasting...un-presentable.  Searching for that magic place, where time stands still? Try the "Thyme out!" room.  (BTW for the rising numbers of people on bp meds, not allowed to have your morning grapefruit, pink pineapple can be a sweet substitute😋)

Sneakers and Peakers…updated versions  “Why don’t you come up and see…” as in a “Come on!” recently replaced by “Wanna’ see my latest Skechers…?” A bit of a stretch (part of the appeal) and otherwise, by today’s psychosexual standards, a “bit sketchy”.   No bending… being truthful here which, if you’re looking for staying fit yourself, is contrary to a full fitness regimen…”bend, push, pull…and ok to stick out your tongue…” Stretching, the third essential ingredient, in order to stay "supple...agile...flexible...maintain proper posture" (so as to not finding ourselves getting bent over as in osteo...) Sizing is up… or down which, depending on which way you go, is the whole reason for half sizes being introduced, as a way to remind us, once again, as we slip into a pair, how stretching might even prevent a slip, fall routine... Etch a Skechers... one more idea taken right out of my hands (free)😖

The latest shake-up ! Living and breathing, under challenging conditions A place where "slip and slide...come inside..."  Sudden onset of climactic change...the world over... Nothing is stirring but all gets shaken up, from time to time... Where cardiologist and climatologist come together, with the assist from the glowgenticist ("glass hatter" if you prefer) A final path way..."clear out an airway!" "What's a path weigh, you ask?" This morning a weighty subject, given the consistency A place where global positioning ("lift with your legs") and conditioning co-inside... Where your favorite gnome, calls home... Inside the dome, we fondly call our snow globe.  GPS - “this side up” a reminder from the little ones, who live inside (all this, while I was out shoveling the fallout, from the latest local blizzard...pretty looking out, from in)  

Reform schools, forming back up. In order to have order… got to start with a strong, even “great” reformer, or so we are informed by “World News” from way down under where.. Facing up... to the facts that support the decision for the Aussies to increase the legal age of having a social media account which, of course, leading the charge, Facebook, followed by a whole family of friendlies, in turn, based on the news outlet I was let into, informed me was partly for child safety, as well as to foster more conversation between children, tweens, pre-"Sweet Sixteeners"... From screamers to streamers... you readers may have anticipated the collective sound of kids screaming at their parents, for clamping down, but as it turns out, down there, as past the equator, even the Prime Meridian, the parents were too busy streaming on Prime and a host, of others, to notice...calling on what's sometimes called, in the series "Super Nanny"(AKA .Guv) to step in, just in time, allo...

Olive drabs, up for grabs. Always starts, in dribs and drabs... Better grab them... as in a grab bag full, why you can, given that they are now in short supply... Olive oil... you probably do too, as in the continued high demand, in contrast to the recent shortage in olives and their oil buy products... Steep incline... where you can grow them, and the price, given the decline in availability... Extended version... as in extending a hand, for a few weeks, during this season of good will gestures, in the form of the ever-popular olive branches... Mounting a comeback... "Mount of Olives" being not only a sacred site, but for those of us earthly bound, a place of Peace and Hope. Hopefully they stick around after this season passes.  "Peace, out" 

Skirting around, the transplanting of tree farmers - troubling tree trends No longer just a game... of copse and robber...tree barrens.  Tree-mendous sales... as in the rising numbers of artificial trees going up. "Can't see the forest..." as there's too many trees, left standing 😕 Lighting of trees... as trees getting lighter and even skinny is in this year, up goes the demand, for...mini-skirts.  Topping it off... as in crop top, there's what we in the industry call the second-tier suppliers -- those that supply the pruning shears, and those funny shaped needle-nosed pliers...not to mention the noise canceling headphones, to drown out the sound of chain saws (but isn't that part of the experience you came for?) "Nothing to sneeze at" No matter how much fake scent you spray can't hide, the pungent smell of formaldehyde...talk about allergies..."Ah-ah-ah...!" The real skinny, on thinning... "Remember only YOU can prevent forest fi...

"Gas up"  - always in season. For starters... “You’ve got bad gas” Tough start, of a difficult conversation, with my friendly “small engine” repair expert…as to why, first my lawn mower…then my snow blower…would not even start up at, of course, the most inconvenient of times…costing me time and money… “ Out with the old, in with the new…” sayings and slogans about getting gassed up…as in times past “fill ‘er up!” when the stations had attendants, on to the modern age of “Gas X” as in you’re on your own. But if you still have the gas guzzling versus electrified, just a seasonal reminder… Good to keep your tank full... as well as other vehicles you might not take off roading. As well as your home generator... as if you haven't generated enough from over-consumption. Sluggish Slogans… when the startup doesn’t come automatically - boomer to buster…”When the going gets tough the tough…better get going while the gettin’s good, step on it son!” Buster busting your bubble…”See wh...

What a dump!   Some new data has come to light (the dark side) Dumpster fire... for starters...to get you/me energized, there's the discovery that the biggest electric producer produced some checks for some elected officials, on both sides of the aisle. Both of which, according to locals, looked a bit more "radiant" than usual...casting some light and suspicion on why and whose backyards these data centers might get centered. Which has become the center, of controversy. And the focus of several town halls, where the officials thought they were making a simple plug, but the audience had come already electrified, which ended up, in what the commuters, and now computer, call "grid lock" -- a power surge of its own, that is at least causing a brown-out, a temporary stall -- a cooling off period for what the local residents fear will heat up, what the general audience calls "ambience" -- given the amount of heat these data machines throw off -- along with t...

Sea, what I mean, about well-seasoned?  As in sports, in shorts... "What's shaking?" Well, I'm here to tell you, as in "Shake well" -- especially prior to its first use. And an even bigger shake up after the announcement that it may be her last. Matched up with the ongoing controversy about its daily use, from the "daily minimal requirement" (oddly abbreviated as RDA's) on to the upper limit of 2300 mg of sodium (which can, of course be found on "soda crackers" -- the name of which derives more from the baking soda ingredient than the salt sprinkled that gives it that "saltine" character), we find the 1500 number, which is "optimal for heart health". The rising tide of popularity of sea salt, and whether it's declining the salinity of our oceans. What is your posture on this, and do you have to scale back or increase your daily habit of consumption? Don't sweat it, as they have been, for several years -- bo...

Seasonal Trends, continued -  "Dash away, stash  away. cash away, in awe!" Coaches' fires and their new hires - Time once again to get fired up! The carousel of coaches continues...as in merry-go-round. One which might take some rounding up, of some very merry coaches… who might be a bit hesitant to return… Coaches and their agency - “Let me be the first to extend my congrats… you’re free, from the previous commitment…your contract has been…cancelled, bought out by some unnamed alumni group…"😉🤩 Bright…blight - “you’re hired to be fired…”  Roku bucks  - the new term for the steady stream, almost unlimited supply of cash coming in, which is only rumored to be loosely connected to the rise, in what’s called in the business of sports coverage, “revenue sharing”🤑 A vetting man's game - Vegas now has a special category for coaches and their cache, odds on who will last, until the first whistle...  Transplants - "thank you, always wanted to visit this University...

Where Iconic and Ironic converge -Thirsting on Thursday... "Oh, Hya!"  Usually, traditionally, in a well socialized manner, followed by "How Ya been?" Or, if you are trying to get acquainted in a different way, "Do you visit this joint often?" All of which, together, collectively, refer to the myriad of ways that HA, short for Hyaluronic Acid benefits your body, both in ("joint health") and epidermally (in the skin care division just referred as "smooth, silky, soft...nice to the touch...skin conditioning)" Which is, in its purest form produced by your bod naturally. But can be purchased for a price from such sponsors as "Purity Products" that if you’re among the first callers, might just get you some... Thirst quencher: in that "just a quarter teaspoon holds (in) about one and a half gallons of water..." So, to stay hydrated, drop a few drops of acid.😕 HA ironic : that a drop in acid, could be bad for your joints, ...

Another Thing, to ponder…"It's so annoying..." It's what they're talking about to me -- "Doc, there's this whole other  Thing ..." "Tell me some Thing I don't know..." You’d think I’d know better… after. having graduate-professional courses that informed us of legends and legions of research into both “this” and “that” - the whole gamut of things relevant to chasing after It (see November 24th if you need to understand It better). After several decades of practice in listening and discussing It with you. Turns out, It’s not about that, at all. This, despite Wednesday bragging It’s all about her. And introducing us via photo only to Cousin It…causing fan frenzy as a result. But instead, after hearing in an increasing number of episodes of therapy, finally saw It prominently displayed on my home screen, in Its entirety - "Hey Thing, can you lend me a hand...as this  is  Wednesday, after all...?! Since I finally got It, how about a ro...

Savor the flavor Tuesday. Stocking stuffers for modern puffers, in states where it's street legal... Dope on a rope: so you can hit those really high notes, in the shower.  Green screens, rolled up: so even your red bush looks like an ever-green..."dude!" Weed and feed: the perfect pairing for someone who gets up, to watch re-runs of "12 O'clock High".   Potting soil: to remind the growers that they've hit "pay dirt".  "Round up": just a reminder that no matter what shape of your vape, what goes around comes around…as in "Mouth to Lung"(MTL) or more directly "Direct to Lung" (DTL, get it?) could end up shortening, your breath. Skunk gunk : a cool replacement for hot coal, the goal being to spread it around to take them off the scent, just in case you get stopped. Reefer Madness: after a time, of initial gladness, a change of moods on behalf of the dispensaries, who find themselves dispensing of some extra disposabl...

HVAC's, on the attack  - trading in tuition  A massive surge… and ways to prevent it, is the province of those who select electric currents, as their major area of interest, pre-occupation. Whereas, “stop the bleed” is a common complaint that might bring out a plumber, whose diagnostic expertise includes delineating the condition you find yourself in, along with your pipes…whether they need to simply need to be drained, for the winter, or under too much pressure, in which case…and then along the ones that talk in a slightly different lingo…”it’s a matter of degrees…and how they stack up” Which, for those whose noses are stuck, in textbooks, refers to the “brick and mortar “ without which these so-called educated dummies wouldn’t have a place to hang out: “See ya' around campus” now has a hole new meaning, as the call for “tradesmen” is on the rise.  Oh, the tool best suited to pry out one’s nose from a book, will probably be found in the trunk, of a carpenter 💪 BTW - as ...