Midweek Meh-Ness [DOT 18/12/24]

18/12/24 MegMegMcGee 19

Welcome to midweek meh-ness where everything is ‘meh’!

His name still seems made up

UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect charged with first-degree murder
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/17/luigi-mangione-indicted-murder-brian-thompson

#Merica

Police review reported manifesto of girl who killed two at Wisconsin school
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/17/madison-school-shooting-natalie-rupnow

Stonks!

Stock futures are little changed after Dow posts nine-day losing streak; traders await Fed decision: Live updates
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/17/stock-market-today-live-updates.html

#bears

Virginia man dies after bear shot in tree falls on him
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/dec/17/virginia-man-dies-bear-fall

On that note, have a good day and watch out for falling bears.

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19 Comments

    • You know, when the kid was finally identified, this guy’s name immediately came to my mind. But, then again, I’d only learned it about 15 or so years ago, when I was switching across those digital music channels on TV and happened to tune into this song on the “Smooth Jazz” one or whatever it was. It probably wouldn’t have registered much, either, except I stuck around long enough for probably the same 30 seconds you’re talking about, which I heard every so often throughout the early- to mid-’80s on TV station identifications, elevator music and the like. (I’m sure it was even worse where you were back then.)

  2. On that note, have a good day and watch out for falling bears.

    When men used to go to gay bars every so often a drunken bear would fall on you but with the rise of Grindr and other social media sites that hazard has abated.

    Oh, wait, we’re not talking about older hairy gay men?

  3. And finally, and with this I swear I’ll shut up, did you know that the inspiration for “It’s a Wonderful Life”‘s Bedford Falls was Seneca Falls, NY? I’ve been. It is charming.

    I always lament the fact that I’m not more well-traveled in my home state but then I read stuff life this and realize, “Oh yes, I’ve been there!” Never been to Niagara Falls, though.

    My parents went on an epic road trip for their honeymoon, time in Manhattan, then Niagara Falls, and then up into the Canadian Maritimes to bounce around my mother’s relatives. My Dad had a friend with a brand spanking new 1951 Buick and his wedding present was to let them borrow it for two, three weeks? My father once told me, “That was the most beautiful car I’ve ever driven. It got about two miles to the gallon but who cared, we basically owned Saudi Arabia back then.”

    • My Niagara Falls story (buckle up):

      I was at a tradeshow in Buffalo some years ago and, having never been to Niagara Falls, decided I would go after the show closed at noon on Friday. After a bad experience with flying on Friday afternoon, I always waited and flew out Saturday morning.

      Drove to the falls in my rental car on a cold, gray day with light rain falling. Eh, when will I get back this way? I’ll walk around, take some pictures, cross over to Canada (I brought my passport), take some more pictures, and head back to the hotel.

      Except while walking around holding an umbrella and my phone, I slipped on some wet ground and faceplanted, cutting open my forehead. No damage to my phone, since I had the foresight to toss it toward some grass and threw the umbrella in the other direction.

      In case you’ve never had one, face wounds bleed profusely, and it ran down my face and onto my shirt. Fortunately the bathrooms were open and I was able to clean up a bit and hold paper towels against my head until the bleeding stopped. Couldn’t do anything about my blood-streaked shirt though.

      In the bathroom mirror I looked at my rapidly purpling face and now-black eye, and thought, better get back to the hotel. But then I thought, fuck it, when will I get back here again? I got in the car and headed for Canada.

      The guard looked at my passport, my face, my passport, my face, said, eh, and waved me through. I headed over to the commercial complex that is on the Canadian side.

      By this time I was starving. Prudence would dictate fast food but I couldn’t find any. I ended up at a restaurant overlooking the falls. It was largely empty.

      The staff saw me enter and wait to be seated. The hostess took one look and headed to the back. I could see a conference ensuing between several of the staff with glances being shot my way.

      Finally they sent a guy out. I said I wanted a table, and he didn’t say a word, just led me to the back of the restaurant, which was completely empty. I was seated alone in front of a massive bay window with an incredible view of the Canadian side of the falls.

      As this point I’d figured out the situation. I pulled out my gold Amex, put it on the table, and said, I need a drink now and probably several more after that. The server nodded, took my order, and had it back in probably three minutes. I ordered, ate (the food came FAST), took pictures of the falls, and tipped the fellow well. He did not say one single word about my appearance. He barely spoke, except to say “yes, sir.”

      Going back into the US? I spent almost two hours getting through. They asked me in detail what happened, reviewed every piece of ID I had, essentially impounded the rental car, and went through it with a fine-toothed comb, including dogs, an under-car camera, and at least three people who searched it by hand. Fortunately I’d left all my luggage and the tradeshow equipment back at my hotel, or I’d probably still be there. I’m sure the short trip made it look like I was transporting drugs, not to mention the fact that I looked like I’d been in a fight.

      That’s my trip to Niagara Falls.

  6. I watched part of the press conference with the police & a school official after the shooting.  She talked about their faith in god & talking to parents about it was all “god’s plan” with a smile.  She said the parents agreed.  That right there might tell you how fucked up these people are & why this little girl snapped!

    and in good news…

    https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/18/politics/matt-gaetz-ethics-report-committee/index.html

    and crazy grandpa is still talking about this?

     

     

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