Overwhelmday

You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf. 
~ Jon Kabat-Zinn

Life is not, in fact, just one damn thing after another. Those damn things have a nasty tendency to either happen all at the same time or annoyingly overlap each other.

Take this week:

• I had my foot procedure Tuesday. This, after a month and a half of battling a persistent infected ingrown toenail. I couldn’t exercise, (my mood stabilizer). Walking was difficult and wearing shoes was impossible. My mood and morale going into the doc’s office was already basement level with a sewer view. For what it’s worth, the procedure was painless and seemed to go well. I’m in recovery and wait and see mode now. Hopefully I’ll be able to start ellipticaling again soon. 

• Related, we have a chair lift. It was installed after the surgery when I lost the use of my left leg. Since getting my leg back, I haven’t needed to use it UNTIL this big toe trauma. Motherfucker worked a few times and then crapped the fuck out. Luckily, Ten was able to get a mechanic to come out. Parts must be ordered though. This isn’t a quick OR cheap fix. Good thing I can now mostly manage the stairs, with assistance. 

• Cake has been not-on-purpose urinating EVERYWHERE. This includes the bed. When he’s sad, scared, insecure, feeling sick, or just out of sorts, he comes to bed. 

Ten and Jen took him to the vet last week. He was diagnosed with a UTI, given a shot, and seemed to be all better. Over the last few days, the infection has returned and Valhalla is once again Cat Pee World. I DO feel deep empathy for my sweet boy but, goddamn, I’m tired of waking up in damp spots and I know Ten’s tired of changing and washing the bedding twice a day. Cake has another vet appointment this afternoon. Hopefully this can be resolved.

• As I mentioned yesterday, another NF2 fighter has died WAY too young. 

• The news.

ICE is planning to spend between $10m and $20m on gloves capable of delivering electric shocks.  Holy Electrocutioner, Batman!

Demonstrations of the gloves in use appear to show it inflicting pain. The Instagram page for Compliant Technologies is filled with videos of police officers being subjected to the glove in demonstrations. Many of them grimace or yell, and almost all of them fall to the ground. The Associated Press first reported on ICE's plans to equip its officers with the technology. 

In one video, the founder of the company, Jeff Niklaus, introduced a demonstration on an officer with the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Department. After being shocked with the glove, the officer screamed and dropped to the ground, briefly debilitated for the moment the glove made contact with his skin. (source) 

Arming those drooling sadists with shock gloves, on top of all the weaponry and freedom to abuse that they already have, is just an astounding leap in barbarism. I’m betting Miller came up with this idea with MusKKK after a long night of Heil Hitlering, snarfing Cheetos, and reading comic books.

“That's your solution? Have a cookie?' Astrid asked. 'No, my solution is to run down to the beach and hide out until this is all over,' Sam said. 'But a cookie never hurts.” 
~ Michael Grant, Gone

Doctor Nissa Marie Novas

WAY back in late February of 2022 Michie O’Day shared that her dear friend and our fellow NF2 warrior, Nissa Marie Novas’ battle was winding down. As it turns out, she had four and a half more years in her. Nissa took the last train to the coast this month — she was 51. 

Every NF2 (neurofibromatosis type2) case is different. The variations and severity of NF2’s symptoms seem endless (to me anyway). On reading a brief interview with Nissa at the Children’s Tumor Foundation, it seems like she got ALL of this damned disease’s manifestations. Here are a few:

• Vocal cord paralysis (causes swallowing issues, choking or coughing occurs when eating or drinking, and just generally creates difficulty with speaking or breathing properly) Over this past year I’ve started showing signs of this. *BIG FUN!*
• Vision problems (cataracts, severely dry eyes, retinal detachment)
• Facial nerve paralysis
• Muscle weakness
• Vertigo
• Tinnitus
• Severe headaches
• Loss of balance
• And, of course, deafness

Oh, we’re also at risk of developing of kidney or renal failure from all the meds versus NF2 itself. Funny that, eh?

Ya know, just when I was all set to throw a big pity party for myself and shit, I see what other people have to deal with. I’m just never gonna get to be a princess, now, am I … hmmmph.

Part of Nissa’s answer to the question What’s it like for you that people can see your tumors and the impact it has had on your life:

“The truth is all forms of NF are ongoing, progressive, constantly changing, and without a cure. People associate NF tumors and their treatments with cancer, while there are certain NF tumors that can become malignant or cancerous, for the most part, NF tumors are very different. While chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all used as treatments, they are never curative and there is no remission. At best, treatments slow progression of symptoms, but it’s never over. It never ends.

It’s constantly destroying your life and you’re constantly trying to rebuild it. Everything is hard every day. And it gets harder. The losses and grief are continual. You are constantly hurting, struggling, questioning your self worth, adapting, fighting to survive. NF is not just a tumor disorder. It’s also a communication disorder. It’s a mobility disorder. It’s an emotional and psychological disorder. It’s a life disorder. Yet, somehow, we go on. We overcome against all odds. We are born warriors/fighters.” (source) 

Nissa was diagnosed sometime around 1993 – 12 years after my diagnosis – and remarked “No one knew much about it or seemed to be actively learning about it. My doctors handed me the diagnosis and gave me a good luck pat on the back and sent me on my way.” 

This reminds me of how abso-fucking lucky I was to have:
A) moved to Boston post-carnival life
B) been hysterically, theatrically nagged into getting diagnosed early (I was 23) by my cousin Carmel

Boston – Mass General Hospital – was, and still is, where the big research was done on NF2. I was – this doesn’t happen often – in the right place at the right time AND had an in to the best neurologists and surgeons.

Us NF2ers are like Sisyphus. We are forever rolling the boulder of surgery, recovery, meds, radiation, recovery, physical therapy, more fucking surgery, more physical therapy, ad infinitum, uphill only to find — oh, lookie there! Hello new fat, menacing tumor/complication/symptom! Welcome to the party.

Then there’s the fun symptom guessing games that, sometimes, even the best doctors in the world can’t answer — is this numbness/weakness/pain in my foot, throat, neck, back due to nerve damage? A new tumor? An infection of some sort? A vascular issue? Or am I old and just slept on it funny?

Every time a fellow NF2er bites the dust my morale takes a hit. Each death rings a bell and it takes a little longer for me to start Tubthumping again.

I get knocked down
But I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down 

Doctor Nissa Marie Novas was an Emergency Medicine Physician practicing in Prince Frederick, Maryland until NF2 robbed her body of its abilities to do the job. 

Clown's Spawn

Brainless Boebert’s idiot spawn’s at it again.

Her eldest moron, Tyler — you remember him, right? He’s the one who, at 17, knocked up his, supposedly, 15-year-old girlfriend. It seems he was either too stupid to understand the importance of condoms OR his radish brained, comically inept parents *oopsie* never gave him a heads up. Oh wait, probably both. 

Loser Lauren and her ex have the parenting skills and basic intelligence level of Homer Simpson. None of their kids stand a chance. They've been saddled with a genetic predisposition for complete clownfuck imbecility as well as their parent's infamous and firmly established white trash reputation. 

Ya know, I take it back — comparing Lauren Boebert to Homer Simpson is an insult to boneheaded, two dimensional cartoon simpletons everywhere. So unfair of me

Shit, Lauren and what’s his name make Homer look like look like a cross between Donna Reed, Atticus Finch, and Marie Curie. Maybe throw in El-Sayed as long as we’re at it.

Lauren’s oldest error, now 21, has just been busted AGAIN on multiple felony charges. What might those be? Glad you asked! Like all faithful Republicans he’s allegedly sexually exploited a child.

According to Colorado court records reviewed by American Muckrakers, case 2026CR234 was filed in Garfield County District Court on August 6, 2026. The People of the State of Colorado v. Boebert, Tyler J lists five counts:

1. Sexual exploitation of a child, induce/entice (C.R.S. 18-6-403(3)(a)), a Class 3 felony
2. Sexual exploitation of a child, possession with intent (C.R.S. 18-6-403(3)(c)), a Class 3 felony
3. Sexual exploitation of a child, video (C.R.S. 18-6-403(3)(b.5), (5)(b)(II)), a Class 4 felony
4. Contributing to the delinquency of a minor (C.R.S. 18-6-701(1)(a)), a Class 4 felony
5. Contributing to the delinquency of a minor (C.R.S. 18-6-701(1)(a)), a Class 4 felony (source) 

What’s that mean? It sounds an awful lot like this 21-year-old man, with a really bad porn ‘stache, was, at least, hitting on a school girl, trying to get her drunk, with plans to film himself (and maybe his friends) raping her.

Mind you, this latest obscenity of Toilet Head Tyler's, is on top of his 2024 arrest for “four felony counts of Criminal Possession ID Documents - Multiple Victims, one felony count of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, and over 15 additional misdemeanor and petty offenses.” Him and his criming chums broke into cars, stole shit, including credit cards, and then used those cards at local McDonald’s (of all places!) and gas stations. He and his band of idiots were caught on camera and easily identified in part because Tyler was wearing a hoodie from his parent’s bar, Shooter’s Grill. WHAT a celery brained spoon! He’s a real chip off the old subpar Boebert block, isn’t he?

Colorado’s Republican Congresswoman Boebert spawned a repeat offending criminal and child sex abuser. How very Republican of her. I’m sure her Lord Trump will be ever so pleased … if he remembers who she is.

Stuff

Today’s a good day for flowers, random art, and memes wouldn’t ya say? I mean, it’s Monday. We’re in the middle of a fucking heatwave, our government has been overrun by astoundingly dimwitted, authoritarian, plutocrats (all of whom have the looks and charms of a greased up rabid weasel crossed with a moldy potato), and it’s August. There’s no damn holiday to look forward to this month. Yeah … okay, there’s my birthday but after the first hundred or so the thrill is gone. Ya know?

I need motivation to get up and get going today. I’m in less pain but still, essentially, in a holding pattern. Tomorrow is the dreaded foot procedure which will HOPEFULLY put an end to this months long absurd bullshit that keeps fucking with strength and balance building exercising. I know it’ll be painful. Today I have to pull up all my Zen mindfulness shit. You know, focus on the pain, embrace it, breathe into it. What shape is it? Is it hot or cold? If it was a color, what would it be? All that groovy Alan Watts shit.

Without further ado and shit here’s a street art capture I found yesterday. I don’t know where it lives, where this was taken but the text is Italian.

What’s it say?

L'uomo non ha soldi per fornire di acqua zona aride del pianeta

Man lacks the money to supply water to the planet's arid regions.

Pero ha soldi per cercare acqua xu altri piametri

But he has the money to look for water on other planets.

La domanda e ci sono forme di vita intelligente sulla terra?

The question is: are there forms of intelligent life on Earth?

The answer? There are but they’re not the ones who hold the power.

I need an emotional support dragon!

San Francisco's Mission District

Pearls Before Swine, Stephan Pastis

Reykjavik

Somewhere in Thailand

To Sloth Or Not To Sloth

It’s Sunday and I’m once again overwhelmed by stupid ass health bullshit and the goddamned news. Must be another day ending in "y" huh?

The good news is that, since I halted my efforts to resume my meager workout routine, my foot and ankle don’t feel SO cataclysmically wretched this morning. This is also the not great news as I NEED to exercise for both my stupid mental and physical health. While I am the Serena Williams of sloth – being inert is my natural state – I know that I must move, move, move my bod.

Vanessa Stockard

At least I’m not having this particular debate with myself this morning :

To head into the ER or not to head into the ER, that is the question. 
Whether to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous wait times (and overwhelmed medics who aren’t familiar with my extensive medical history)
Or to sit tight, take Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and wait until Tuesday’s scheduled appointment

Yeah ... whatevs Will. I’ll try hobbling around the house later but NO elliptical and see how things go. //sigh//

Meanwhile, here in the Evil Empire formerly known as the United States, Prez Stinky’s personal shyster’s been appointed attorney general. No surprise there. The only no votes from the on-the-take, pedo promoting Republicans were Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski. Collins is up for reelection this year and is behind in the polls so had no choice but to do the sane thing. No clue what Murkowski’s motivation was.

Construction on Pedo’s big, gaudy-as-an-Elizabethan-era-drag-queen, already-in-progress Epstein Ballroom has supposedly been stopped by a federal appeals court. Sure. As if the courts have ever prevented the Tantrum Toddler from barreling through and doing whatever the fuck he wants anyway. See Venezuela and Iran for reference, bitte sehr.

AND wildfires are everywhere.

Top 10 in the US (per Live Wildfire Map):

1. Big Grass Fire (Malheur County, OR) ~ 504,385 acre burned (39% contained)
2. 0445 Crosswhite Fire (Wheeler County, OR) ~337,749 acres burned (75% contained)
3. Coleman Creek Fire (Harney County, OR) ~308,721 acres burned (89% contained)
4. Tartar Fire (Washington County, ID) ~158,027 acres burned (87% contained)
5. Kaiser Canyon Fire (Okanogan County, WA) ~138,268 acres burned (62% contained)
6. Sinlahekin Fire (Okanogan County, WA) ~137,611 acres burned (34% contained)
7. Widemouth 2 Fire (Millard County, UT) ~114,957 acres burned (27% contained)
8. Babylon Fire (San Juan County, UT) ~107,189 acres burned (97% contained)
9. Second Flat Fire (Harney County, OR) ~105,501 acres burned (86% contained)
10. Aspen Acres Fire (Custer County, CO) ~101,965 acres burned (72% contained)

Dave Whamond

In Canada there’s the Bald Range Fire in British Columbia. The entire province is under a state of emergency. Tens of thousands of people have had to evacuate. Currently there are 105 wildfires burning in British Columbia. 

In Greece ~111,198 acres of land burned across Greece’s Attica region from July 31 to August fourth. 

Indonesia has closed all access to Mount Bromo national park in East Java as a wildfire expands. Since it began on Monday, it’s consumed 435 acres. Indonesia is having an unusually intense dry season this year, in part due to the El Nino weather pattern.  

And we nasty humans keep building data centers which consume up to 5 million gallons of water daily. We’re destroying the only planet we know we can live on – the only planet we have access to. 

Humans – we’re none too bright.

The Prairieland Nine

Who are the Prairieland Nine? 

They’re a group of nine ICE protesters who were busted at a demonstration on July 4, 2025, outside the ICE Prairieland “Detention Center” in Alvarado, Texas. The demonstrators arrived late at night with a plan to set off fireworks as part of a noise demonstration to show solidarity with those detained inside. A few of the demonstrators went off-script and stupid crazy. Good chance things would have gone wild anyway, given the Texas cops and ICE agents and all.

Governor Abbottoir has since, unsurprisingly, sacrificed the protesters and their constitutional rights on his altar to Trump. Nine of the protesters have been given ridiculous, over the top, theatrical, showpiece sentences.

 Benjamin Song: was sentenced to 100 years
Maricela Rueda: was sentenced to 70 years
Autumn Hill: was sentenced to 50 years
Savanna Batten: was sentenced to 50 years
Zachary Evetts: was sentenced to 50 years
Meagan Morris: was sentenced to 50 years
Elizabeth Soto: was sentenced to 50 years
Ines Soto: was sentenced to 50 years
Daniel Rolando Sanchez-Estrada: was sentenced to 30 years for “conspiracy” and “concealing” left-wing zines. He was not even being at the damn protest!

50 goddamn years is more than double what former Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio and Oath Keepers Founder Stewart Rhodes were sentenced to for their Trump endorsed January 6 insurrection on the Capital. FYI, nine people died directly because of Trump’s treason riot. No one died in or because of Alvarado.

Benjamin Song, who fired the gun at the police officer, was sentenced to 100 years in prison. Song was convicted of attempted murder of an officer of the United States, as well as firearm and explosives charges.
~~~
In a statement, Song said he had fired at the police officer, Lt Thomas Gross, because Gross had his weapon drawn and Song believed he was about to shoot a protester. Gross admitted during trial his weapon was pointed at the back of a person who was fleeing the parking lot.  (source) 

The officer was injured, sent to the hospital, was treated and released a couple hours later.

These sentences are absolute insanity! It’s what I’d expect from a totalitarian dictatorship like North Korea or Russia. I realize this is what micro dicked weasels like Trump and Abbott want though. What these fools don’t seem to understand is that with every obscenely gross authoritarian edict and horror show cruelty they roll out they announce, big and broad, their vast, desperate insecurity – their soft spot. 

Also too:

All defendants who were present at Prairieland the night of July 4, including guilty plea defendants Nathan Baumann and Seth Sikes, will have to “jointly and separately” pay $4,408.95 to the Prairieland Detention Center. (source) 

‘the fuck does that mean – “jointly and separately?” Does that mean that each have to pony up $4,408.95 or they collectively need to come up with that amount. And this is ON TOP of being imprisoned for 30-100 fucking years. How they gonna come up with that kind of dosh if they’re in the joint, hmmmmm?

And this money is for the detention center? Why? Is the poor “detention center” sad? Are the for-profit concentration camp corporations not seeing enough of a filthy windfall from their sadistically minimal investments?  

From Benjamin Song's post-sentencing statement: 

It was the kind of thing I had feared for a long time, after dealing with officers who could be reckless, who could be bullies, who could be violent. But fear is not hate. Sadness is not hate. Wanting people to live is not hate.

So, when I was standing in the street on July 4th, 2025, in plain view with reflective safety strips and high visibility clothing, what I saw right in front of my eyes was my worst nightmare.

When I saw Lieutenant Thomas Gross stop pursuing and point his gun at the back of a running, unarmed protester, like he testified, I was terrified. As a firearms instructor and a United States Marine Corps veteran, I understood what I was seeing. I knew what it meant for someone to lean forward into a gun, like he testified, to prepare for recoil.

As the evidence shows, I did not want to hurt anyone. I never had the intent to hurt anyone. I tried my best to avoid hurting anyone. It is impossible to say that I was trying to ambush anyone or planning any violence. I was shocked, and surprised, and saddened. I am so grateful for what didn’t happen. I am so grateful that we are not here mourning another death and tragedy. Another Alex Pretti. Another Renee Good. Another Botham Jean. Another Manuel Teran. Another Atatiana Jefferson. Another Philando Castile.

Now, 22 people have been arrested, have been persecuted, have been tortured, for what?

For nothing.

None of these people really did anything.

And none of these people have anything to do with what happened with me.

This is wrong. This is mass punishment. This is collective punishment. This is guilt by association. This is injustice.

Song is a hero. He prevented that cop from shooting an unarmed protester, who was fleeing, IN THE BACK! Song stopped a murder. Thomas Gross would have joined the ranks of Jonathan Ross, Jesus Ochoa, Raymundo Gutierrez, David Brouillette, and more. Those dudes will never, ever live down the fact that they murdered innocents. Old Tommy boy wanted to murder that innocent protester. Song stopped Gross without killing him OR causing more than a minor inconvenience of a wound.

Where are the Prairieland Nine now? In prison, waiting on appeals.

Who and Where

Who is Andy Ogles or should I say who was? This morning he’s a Republican Representative from Tennessee. Yesterday Andy lost his primary challenge so he’ll be out of his sweet, cushy, high paying gig as of January third.

Why’d he lose?

Andy’s first problem? The Criminal in Chief endorsed him and we’ve all witnessed that the Grandpa ShitzinPantz is the kiss of death.


Andy’s other problems are myriad.

NewsChannel 5 found Ogles had exaggerated or fabricated parts of his professional background, including claims of being a trained economist, a former police officer, and an expert in international sex crimes. Records showed his actual college degree was in general liberal studies, not international relations as he'd claimed. He has also faced an Ethics Committee investigation into his campaign finance, and an FBI criminal probe that was later shut down by the Trump administration. (source) 

It’s no wonder this pathetic, merit-free, lying sack of weasel shit had his comms director tell blatant, ridiculous lies to keep journalists out of his campaign events. Besides the fact that he’s an insanely sketchy, woefully empty suit, dude doesn’t exactly have much of a fan base.

Guess he’ll have plenty of time to make up new fairy tales about his history and look for new suckers and marks after New Years, eh?
~~~
And, just when we thought the poster boy for testosterone addiction, Max Miller’s tales of spousal and child abuse were horrific enough, they get worse.

Ohio Republican Representative Max Miller—accused of holding a gun to his wife’s head, scalding her with boiling water, and breaking his two-year-old daughter’s collarbone—has now shared pictures of that same daughter’s genitals. This would be considered Child Sex Abuse Material, adding yet another disturbing allegation to Miller’s plate. (source) 

Those republicans sure do love their pedophilia, don’t they?
~~~
Let’s talk about the Senate. Realistically, Democrats need a 52-48 advantage. Why? 

Fetterman obviously can’t be trusted. Obvs. Just to start, the man who was supposedly an “outspoken progressive” now defends Trump’s border policies, won’t criticize Prez Pedo for pardoning 1,600 J6 insurrectionists, and called for the pardon of Trump's 34 felonies. (Can you say “suck-up” — sure ya can).

Fetterman has been a lone Democratic voice, or one of very few, in support of other Trump cabinet nominees, and in some cases the votes have contradicted his past statements.

“Nixon founded the EPA. Trump wants to dissolve it,” Fetterman wrote in a tweet in 2017. He was able to move past that belief when he backed Lee Zeldin to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, apparently overlooking Trump’s plans to gut the EPA. (source) 

So yeah, Fetterman’s a quisling. Don’t count him in as someone who’s gonna vote against the Evil Empire (AKA The Heritage Foundation and billionaire boys club).

Democrats now hold 47 seats. Five more are needed. Are they gettable? Possibly!

There’s Texas. James Talarico against that embodiment of slime and crime, Mr. Corruption, Ken Paxton.  He’s so vile, and Trump is now so unpopular, Texas might actually shift from red to purple.

In a recent Fox (of all places) poll:

Most independents (68%) and virtually all Democrats support Talarico (98%), while fewer Republicans are unified behind Paxton (89%).

In part, that’s because one quarter of non-MAGA Republicans back Talarico (24%).

Paxton is the choice among White evangelical Christians, White men without a college degree, rural voters, regular worship attenders, men and voters ages 65 and older.

Some of Talarico’s best groups are Black voters, moderates, voters under age 30, Hispanic voters, women and voters with a college degree. (source) 

Troy Jackson is ahead in Maine even though he’s just jumped into the race. People are getting to know him and what they see, they like.

In North Carolina Roy Cooper, the former governor, is running to succeed retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis (who’s voted the Trump party line 98% of the time). 

Alaska — Rep. Mary Peltola. Her opponent, Dan Sullivan, voted the Trump party line 100% of the time. How’s that working out for ya, Alaska?

In Ohio, former Senator Sherrod Brown is, like the terminator, back. Ohio went for Trump a few times before. They elected JDouche. Jon Husted was appointed to the couchfucker’s seat after Vance was called up to embarrass the nation as VP. Now Husted wants a full term to rubber stamp all of Pedo and the warmongering, fascist plutocrat’s wildest dreams.

By the by, Husted, all on his own, is hardly squeaky clean. Not by a long shot.

When then-Lt. Gov. Jon Husted was appointed to the U.S. Senate at the start of 2025, he was coming from an administration with numerous high-ranking officials connected to the utility lobby. In 2020, that administration was rocked by the biggest bribery and money laundering scandal in Ohio history — all of it related to utilities.

When Husted reached the Senate five years later, one of his first moves was to hire as a top advisor a longtime utility lobbyist.  (source)

 Please Ohio, do the right thing – vote for Sherrod!

In Iowa, Joni Ernst (the repeat lobbyist banger) is retiring. Trump tariffs have beat the shit out of Iowa's soybean farmers and his mega expensive, failed vanity war on Iran hasn’t done Republicans there any favors. Against all odds, Iowa might just be ready to give a Democrat a chance this time around. Rep. Josh Turek is the candidate. Yeah, that's a long shot.

The only intelligent thing Lindsey Graham ever said:

If we nominate Donald Trump, the Republican party will be destroyed. And we will deserve it.
~ 2016

Oreos, Dylan, and Other Stuff

I’m having mint Oreos for breakfast. I’m an adult – I’m allowed to do that!

Jen brought me a few before she and Oni hit the road for the Cape. They’re taking a mini vacay to a beach other than our very own. 

Ya know, it wasn’t until the last decade of the last century that Oreo got the bright marketing idea to make Halloween Oreos (with orange colored vanilla creme insides) and Christmas Oreos (with red or green colored vanilla creme). In the 21st century they broke out with different flavored cremes and even some variations on the biscuit part itself. Huzzah!

I’ve never had Peanut Butter Oreos or White Fudge-Dipped Oreo Thins, Red Velvet ones(red biscuits with cream cheese-flavored creme), Carrot Cake Oreos, Caramel Coconut Oreos (??? Sweet Decadent Christ Almighty, I MUST try these!), Oreo Pistachio Thins, Watermelon or Lemon Oreos.

Available only in China, Hot Chicken Wing and Wasabi Oreo.Yes really and … I may just hurl.
~~~
Yesterday’s PCP appointment? I’m not dying.

Well, in the grand scheme of things and depending on how you look at life on any given day, aren’t we all in the process of dying? I mean, to quote Mr. Zimmerman here “he not busy being born is busy dying” and shit. I suppose I’m being a tad literal.

As long as I’m off on a Dylan tangent, one of my favorite stanza’s of that song/poem, It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding), is this:

My eyes collide head-on with stuffed
Graveyards, false gods, I scuff
At pettiness which plays so rough
Walk upside-down inside handcuffs
Kick my legs to crash it off
Say okay, I have had enough
what else can you show me?

And if my thought-dreams could be seen
They’d probably put my head in a guillotine
But it’s alright, Ma, it’s life, and life only

Bobby was wicked deep man!

Back to my doc visit though – what’s going on with my leg and foot’s a bit of a puzzle. I’m a puzzle and we don’t have all the pieces yet (and, really now, we many never have them). My problems may be resolved after Tuesday’s podiatry procedure when that doc may or may not completely remove my big toenail again (to aid in the elimination of that persistent, stupid, demon infection). At some point after that I can go back to wearing compression socks (whoopee 🙄) which should conceivably ameliorate the leg and foot numbness issues. Anything left over can be chalked up to neurological aftereffects from that surgery where I temporarily lost the full use of my left leg and foot (but never regained complete sense and movement in that foot). 

So, we wait and see how things play out. Motherfucking joy.
~~~~
Meanwhile, Tuesday’s Democratic primary in Michigan went nicely! 

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive epidemiologist born and raised in Southeast Michigan, is the Democratic nominee in the 2026 United States Senate race. He’s a Medicare for All, housing, jobs, trade, education, tax the billionaires, money out of politics candidate. I like him!

On top of El-Sayed's win, several other progressive candidates won key legislative and local races in Michigan: 

• 7th Congressional District: Will Lawrence (co-founder of the Sunrise Movement) won the Democratic nomination.
• 13th Congressional District: State lawmaker Donavan McKinney
• 8th State House District: Chris Gilmer-Hill 
• 29th State Senate District: Abbie Groff-Blaszak 
• Ann Arbor Mayoral Race: Former state Representative and Democratic Socialist Yousef Rabhi

Just a plug here for Maine’s senate candidate, Troy Jackson. Like El-Sayed, Jackson is a progressive who is pro-Medicare for All, tax the billionaires, abolish ICE and more. VOTE JACKSON! Get rid of Trump’s little helper, Collins.