Lindsey's Pallbearers

We're under a heat advisory today.  That means I'll be doing as little as possible outside.  One of the forecasts I've seen has us topping off at 97 (F), however, there are others there are others that have us reaching triple digits; either high temp is a good reason for us to stay inside.  Tomorrow and Friday our outside temp is predicted to be in the low to mid 90s (F), after that we're in for a cool spell with daily highs in the upper 80s (F).

One of these days I'll check to see how badly these hot days are effect my electric usage.  The main reason I signed up for the budget plan for both my electric bill and my natural gas bill was because payments were balanced throughout the year.  This worked well.  For years my heating bill stayed at $59 a month.  Then 5 years ago the monthly cost went up to $69.  That lasted 2 years.  Three years ago the cost went up to $79 a month.  Two years ago the monthly charge was $89.  This year, on the budge plan, I'm paying $100 a month.  This is what happens when utility companies become "for profit" entities, when they sanctify 5% growth.  Now I'm going to have to shop around for lower natural gas prices the same as I do for electricity prices.

This is my 2nd week in which I have 4 days off in a row.  Now, while I'm sipping my morning coffee, I need to take a few seconds and ask myself if today is Wednesday, or Thursday.  

And I'm pleased to announce that Lindsey Graham's pallbearers have arrived!

People are wondering why Dementia Don is so fixated with the Georgia electorate.  One of the theories gaining speed is that black voters came out in large numbers and gave the win to Biden.  Hey, that sounds good to me.  Orangie has always been racist and the knowledge that black votes made him a loser would put salt on a wound he's always cherished.  Sitting presidents usually only made nationally televised speeches once a year, the State of the Union, unless there was a national emergency.  In Donnie's head, the Republicans losing the midterms is a horrifying national emergency.  Recent surveys have shown that many MAGA cultists, and by many I mean lots, and lots, and lots, believe that if the Democrats win the midterms Dementia Don will be sent to jail.  While I think that would be simply wonderful, I don't think that will happen.  If and when there is a Blue Tsunami, the first thing he'll do is try and void the midterms by declaring a national emergency.  That will fail.  At that point someone is going to load his 300 pound lard ass into Air Force One and fly him to a safe country, possibly Argentina.  He might even set up housekeeping next to Peter Thiel, who has already read the tea leaves.

Twitter and the Hate Mongers

 Let the mini-summer begin!  Or, as some call it, Indian Summer since, for the next few days, temps here in Central Pa are going to be in the mid to upper 70s (F).  Unfortunately, starting Wednesday we're going to be back to seasonal weather.  I have no problem with this unseasonably warmth.  A little respite from the heating bills is always nice.  Honestly, I find paying utility expenses such an unfair expenditure of my money, especially since utility companies have decided they want to be major players in American Capitalism.  

Take electricity.  I received an email from P. P. & L. my provider, that beginning in December rates for the average family using 1100 kwh per month will increase by about $22.  That's a big jump.  I immediately checked my bill to see how many kwh I use in a month.  As a single person, I use about 550 kwh, so my bill will only increase by around $11.  I like using my air fryer, but that little oven burns up electricity like it's going out of style.  From now on, I'll probably only use it for hamburgers and French fries, foods that only take about 10 minutes to cook.  Everything else will be cooked in my gas oven which is a lot less expensive way to cook.

Here is one of my autumn roses. 

I saw Bibi Netanyahu won the election in Israel by the skin of his teeth.  What a shame.  The country was making some very nice advances in it's approach to the Arab states which surround it.  I don't see that lasting since he's a hardline conservative.  There will be no compromise, a word conservative despise.

Isn't the Elon Musk's Twitter fiasco entertaining?  Instant layoffs, corporate advertising pulling back, people complaining about having to pay to be certified?  That $8 monthly charge is pissing people off.  Verification used to be related to certification, ensuring you were not a bot.  Now, if you've read what the Chief Fool has said, it's totally dependent on your paying the fee, meaning everyone who pays will be verified.  I suspect that's really what's pissing off the advertisers; Subway doesn't want it's ads sandwiched between Tweets of raging racism and hatred.  The Chief Fool doesn't understand this.  Only the foolish will pay that fee.  Everyone else will move to another platform.  There is a good possibility Twitter will become a lot like the fiscally underperforming Truth Social, catering mostly to hate mongers.  Note to the Chief Fool, hate mongers rarely click on ads, they're too busy foaming at the mouth.

Acountability

 Well, it's Thursday, the sun is shining, and the temps are supposed to reach up into the lower 70s (F).  I'm supposed to work today, that schedule is not fixed in stone, however.   I have to call the repair shop this morning and see how they are doing with my car.  When I picked up my rental Jeep, I was told I was supposed to return it today. If this is not the case, I'll need to contact Erie Insurance and let them know there's been a delay.

I received 2 notifications within the past week of utilities that have applied to increase their rates.  Son of a bitch!  Both water and electric have asked to charge more.  Per PP&L (my electric provider), the average family could see their cost go up by as much as $34 per month.  If mine goes up that much, it would be a 33% increase.  I will have to wait until June to see how much my rate will go up.  I feel sorry for single parent households when the costs go up and the paycheck stays the same, but then that's American Capitalism for you.

While I don't watch too much TV, there are certain shows I like.  I tolerate (barely) Picard.  My biggest problem is that it seems like every single cast member has a story arc.  I wonder if they have it written into their contracts that they each get a personalized, four-minute storyline in each episode.

One show I really am liking is Halo, on Paramount, and not because it stars 6-foot, 5-inch Pablo Schreiber as the MasterChef.  Scientists took him as a child and made him into the perfect fighting machine... well, not quite.  Whereas Picard is cartoony, this show is quite intense.  If you're looking for warm, fuzzy, feelgood endings stick with Picard.  If you want to sit in your chair and say, "Holy shit!," give Halo a watch.

For those who don't know, there has been a surge in hepatitis among children under 6 years of age.  One of the things they know about his illness is that all of these children had Covid, and were too young to be given a vaccine.  These cases are not isolated, but are happening all over the world, and every day more children are diagnosed.  

And I understand justice Alito has cancelled an appearance at a Circuit Court meeting scheduled for today. That's just one tidbit.  Barriers are being put up around the Supreme Court building, that's another.  Sounds like they're expecting an outpouring of American rage.  Not that the Republicans care.  They are the party of the selfish.  They need to be taught the lesson that they are not special, that they too have accountability.