March 4, 2024
April 27, 2023
March 11, 2022
Who Wants to Clean That Pot
Who wants to clean that pot? :-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Who Wants to Clean That Pot
February 1, 2022
Drain The Swamp
What happened with that?
It often still seems pretty dirty, dark, dank and swampy!
We need real democracy, freedom, human rights, and justice for all people. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Drain The Swamp
December 20, 2020
Spuds and Suds
At least if you're gonna do this, don't show your customers!
Maybe there's a rational explanation (as in "Lucy, splain dat to me!"):
The potatoes fell on the floor, and the broom and pan where there to clean them up.
Hey, once you peel them, what difference does it make anyway!
Yeah, sure that works. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Spuds and Suds
November 18, 2020
I'm Sure You Did
I am about to get into the swimming pool.
A water aerobics class is letting out and a bunch of older ladies are on the way out of the water.
One of them stops, give me a big smirk, and says:
"Don't worry we warmed it up for you!"
I thought for quick second, and said with a completely straight face:
"I'm sure you did!"
The joys of swimming life. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
I'm Sure You Did
September 8, 2020
Laundry is a Colorful Cleaning Affair
Some nice refreshing laundry detergent is just what's needed.
When the detergent comes in big, bright bottles like here, then it's even a more inviting experience.
Clean laundry, clean mind, clean mouth way to go! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Laundry is a Colorful Cleaning Affair
August 29, 2020
Teaching Kids To You Know What
Mini toilets to teach the kids to go potty.
The big pot can probably be scary for a little kid.
Don't want them to end up falling in and whoosh!
Ok, not funny!
Seriously though, these little training toilets are cute.
Honestly, I think there are some adults that need some potty training too.
Yes, you know who you are! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Teaching Kids To You Know What
August 17, 2020
Pink Bear
Like a politician speaks falsehoods!
My dad would rightfully say, "Be careful, don't step in the hoy[t]a!"
Compliments of some good old Native American humor.
At one point, probably from Reader's Digest! :-)
(Credit Photo; Andy Blumenthal)
Pink Bear
January 22, 2020
How Are These Unlivable "Living Conditions" Allowed To Persist?
Makeshift tents line up and down under the train tracks to Union Station.
Spikes overhead make this an extra frightening looking arrangement.
People walking by and to/from work--after a while, is there a mixture of acceptance and indifference?
It's freezing outside and this is NO WAY for any human being to have to live.
Can we put partisan politics aside for any period of time to deal with the very harsh problems facing real people? ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
How Are These Unlivable "Living Conditions" Allowed To Persist?
November 19, 2019
Pool Poop Galore
It was very busy there with lots of people of all ages.
All of a sudden, I hear some screaming.
Then the guards come over and tell people they have to get out of the pool, pronto!
There's been an accident.
No, not someone getting hurt.
Someone had a bathroom accident in the pool.
The director of the pool is going around explaining to the inconvenienced swimmers that:
"Someone pooped in the pool."
Not exactly an eloquent way to say it, but it gets the point across.
What is worse, it was on the side of the pool where the adults were swimming!
Next come the lifeguards with the nets and they are literally scooping swathes of this sh*t out of the pool.
I see it literally spans almost a half length of this olympic pool.
What a crappin' mess.
Luckily I got almost all my swim in--yes, I am dedicated!
And then took a long hot shower with tons and tons of soap. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Pool Poop Galore
October 21, 2019
3 Types of Dumping
"No Dumping"
Dumping can refer to at last 3 different types of things and none of them are any good:
1) Dogs - When people are inconsiderate with the animals and they take a "dump" and people don't clean up after them (leaving the messy stink for you to step in).
2) Trash - When people throw their trash in the dump or what they consider to be a convenient dumping ground and they make a huge mess of the surroundings (like the used mattress on the side of the road).
3) Emotions - When people dump their emotions and problems on others; they just sort of let it all out and while they may feel better (i.e. a nice catharsis), now you feel like sh*t!
Overall, I can't think of any good connotation to dumping, so maybe people should stop doing it--dogs, trash, and problems. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
3 Types of Dumping
March 3, 2019
Video Of Video
We went to the art galleries in Rockville Town Center today.
They had this video called "Neighbor" by Kanat Akar.
It's about the life of a 13-year old refugee boy from Alleppo, Syria who migrated to Anakara, Turkey.
The video is eerie and hypnotic as it walks you through the eyes of this little boy and the misery of his life.
While to me it represents the dark side of life, there is so much to be explored and felt from it.
You can't watch this without feeling like you are there on this dirty, squalor of a road to nowhere, but wanting desperately to know where it ends. ;-)
(Source Video: Andy Blumenthal)
Video Of Video
October 1, 2018
Bad Little Mousey
They came into the office and had a big surprise.
I won't ask you to guess what it was.
I'll start off by giving you a hint.
It came from a mouse.
Yep, they actually had what they called, "mouse poop" on their desk.
Have to laugh even at the term...
But this is not what you want to have to deal with first thing in the morning, or anytime for that matter.
What can you do though?
We share the world with other living creatures and if they want to poop on your desk--what are you really gonna do about it?
I suggested setting some traps, but they said they want to see if it happens again.
That's two too many times for me.
Now though I learned to be grateful if my desk is poop-free. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Bad Little Mousey
September 21, 2018
There's A Reason For Everything
I find am empty food storage container on the shelf.
I recognize it from the day before when it was filled with delicious over-baked salmon.
So I go to one kid who I guess may be the culprit and I ask:
Why did you leave the empty bowl in the fridge and not clean it out when you were done?
She says:
Dad, I didn't do it.
So, I feel like a jerk and apologize for thinking maybe it was her.
Then I go to the other kid and say:
Did you leave an empty dirty salmon bowl in the fridge?
And she says to me:
I did.
So I ask rhetorically thinking there was no acceptable reason:
Why did you do that?
She says sweetly to me:
My sister was sleeping and I didn't want to wake her by washing out the bowl.
And I knew she meant it.
I wouldn't have imagined a reason for leaving an empty dirty bowl in the fridge, but it just goes to show not to misjudge people--there is usually a reason for everything. ;-)
(Source Photo: Amazon)
There's A Reason For Everything
May 27, 2017
Look Who's Talking About Obstruction Of Justice
Hillary is talking about other people's obstruction of justice...
Wasn't it her husband, Bill, who had a little talk with then U.S. Attorney General, Loretta Lynch, on the tarmac--with cameras and mics turned off--when the FBI was investigating her!
During the election, the crowds chanted "Lock her up!"
This isn't about Democrat or Republican.
Wherever you look, the politics seems so dirty and the corruption so deep.
What happened to the soul of America and what we really stood for as a people and a nation?
(Source Photo: Fox News)
Look Who's Talking About Obstruction Of Justice
July 8, 2016
I'm Telling You They're Really New
I went online and ordered a brand NEW pair.
A few days later, the fins arrive in an envelope (no box).
Already sort of terrified at what I will find in this strange bag, I slowly open it up, and find a completely disgusting dirty, scuffed, USED pair of fins with no tags or packaging.
Ew...I am so grossed out and contact the vendor right away to return these, but instead of customer service, I got a boat load of b.s. and chutzpah.
They made a million excuses, tried to make me feel bad, and basically refused to provide for a return, saying that the product is not really used, that it just got dirty in the mail and on the trucks and all, and I just have to clean them off a little!
When I question them about why there was no box or packaging, they say, "Oh that, well we take it out of the box, so we can ship it more cheaply for you!
I said, "What right do you have to take it out of the packaging when I ordered it new--maybe I want the packaging or need to give the item as a gift?"
Then they go on to give me an ear-full about about the high cost of shipping and that I should thank them for removing the packaging to the keep costs down (but the problem is that they were trying to keep costs down in more ways than one here).
They continue to berate me as well about how I should be more understanding as to the dirt and scuff marks, since it's no big deal, because when I put it in the pool, the water and the chlorine will wash it off and kill all the germs anyway!
After patiently taking this abuse for a while, I went online and saw that others had the same experience with this merchant--getting sent used goods in the mail that had been advertised and paid for as new.
Now I had had it up to HERE, and I promptly did my duty and went online to give them an appropriate customer review to help others from getting cheated like this in the future.
Guess what happens next?
They email me to tell me that they took note of my feedback and not that they are sorry about what happened and want to fix it, but that "We will never ship to you again."
My wife explodes laughing...mwahahahahaha--like who would ever want to go back and do more business with these crooks.
People are absolutely crazy out there.
Caveat emptor (buyer beware) a million times. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
I'm Telling You They're Really New
February 5, 2016
Even Our Water
And someone had a bottle of what looked like very dirty water.
I said to the guy sad-jokingly, "Where's that from--Flint, Michigan?"
He sadly smiles back and says, "No, I just filled the bottle with iced tea!"
But everyone around the table sighed at the tragic state of affairs with the filthy, contaminated water in Flint.
The high levels of lead in the water has allegedly resulted in "skin lessons, hair loss, high levels of lead in the blood, vision loss, memory loss, depression and anxiety."
It's unbelievable that in an American city with a population around 100,000 that they cannot safely shower or drink their water.
To make things even worse, now banks are hunkering down and don't want to give mortgages to people in Flint until they can prove that their water is safe.
What's amazing is that this miserable situation in our cities is not the exception, but the rule.
As of 2003 already, The American Society for Civil Engineering gives us a hideous grade of D on our infrastructure that is aged and in disrepair.
This includes our:
- Energy
- Transportation
- Ports
- Aviation
- Levees
- Dams
- Schools
- Roads
- Inland Waterways
- Wastewater
- Hazardous Waste
- Parks and Recreation
- Rail
- Bridges
- Solid Waste
- Drinking Water
They estimate we need at least $3.6 trillion of investment for infrastructure renewal just by 2020.
Interestingly enough, the useless decade-long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan costs us over $4 trillion and the lives of almost 14,000 American military and contractor personnel.
What would you rather have a destabilized Middle East now swarming with ISIS, the Taliban, and a resurgent $100 billion richer and nuclear- and terror-determined Iran or a proper country here for us to live in with an actual strategy-driven national security and good schools and clean drinking water?
(Source Photo: here with attribution to B1ue5sky)
Even Our Water
December 16, 2015
DC Is Not NYC
It says, "This is not New York."
And it advertises a website called StuckInDC.com.
"Formed by a few friends who've probably lived in the capital long enough, but lack the wherewithal to move elsewhere."
Having come from NYC, I can empathize in many ways.
The DC metro area is great if you are interested in working in some very cool jobs for the Federal government, and it has a fairly nice lifestyle for families here (clean and green).
While not as exciting as NYC (it doesn't have the vibe), it's also not as dirty, congested, or generally dangerous (in DC, there are lots of gun-totting federal agents everywhere).
If you yearn for someplace nicer to live, maybe Florida for the Caribbean climate, beautiful nature, slower lifestyle, and fun atmosphere or then again, there is always the awesome Holy Land!
For now stuck in DC, after retirement who knows. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
DC Is Not NYC
February 4, 2015
rED pEPPERS Anyone
Just someone dropping their jar of roasted red peppers smack in the middle of the street in Foggy Bottom, and just in time for the morning commute.
Well, watch your step folks (there's broken glass there) and don't step in the slimmy red pepper sauce (ala Whole Foods "everyday value").
Just another hump day in the nation's Capital. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
rED pEPPERS Anyone