Plainclothes

New week, new forecast!  Our outside temp is in the upper teens (F), which is cold.  We are expected to climb above freezing today, but that's not going to happen tomorrow.  As long as my furnace is running efficiently, I don't mind the cold.  I don't mind going outside.  When I do, I always end up thinking briefly about what things were like 200 years ago.  Their winters were just as cold before people had the luxury of insulating fabrics.  A good, expensive coat, would have been made of wool, a cheap one cotton.  Even though we still bundle up, todays bundling doesn't make us look 50 pounds heavier.  In general, people were on the heavier side because nothing beats a good insulating layer of fat.

Yesterday was slow at the store.  I did learn through a phone conversation with a customer that we have a serious issue.  Corporate really likes to see our installs for us, however, they don't check the details, and because of this they sold an install that was not ready to be sold.  The customer had her entire house measured and had chosen a carpet, however, she wanted vinyl in her kitchen and foyer.  She told corporate this on 1/12 and no one removed the kitchen and foyer from the quote.  On 1/13 corporate sold her the install with carpet still going into the kitchen and foyer.  Yesterday, she called with the vinyl planks she wanted installed, however, her quote is now closed, sold and paid in full... for carpet in the kitchen and the foyer.  Not only did they sell her too much carpet, it's been cut and shipped, and is now with the installer.  Ouch.

I watched Plainclothes on Mubi, (you can also rent the movie on Apple +).  Listed as a romantic thriller, Plainclothes tells the story of a young police officer who's job is to lure unsuspecting gay men into restrooms where the police will arrest them... until he develops a crush on one of his targets. While it does get intense towards the end, I say this is more of a psychological drama.  While Russell Tovey is good, Tome Blyth as the young police officer is amazing.

And saw that the Orange Anus is evidently threatening Norway because they didn't give him the Nobel Peace Prize.  Holy Crap!  He sent them a letter.  Maybe I should have said Holy Shit instead.  The more his dementia grows, the worse things get for the Republican party.  And they simply can not do anything to stop him.  The instant they do that, their house of cards will fall apart.  They have been so desperate for power for so long, they stopped caring about who was leading their party years ago.  If I were a devout Christian, I say he is without a doubt a Spawn of Satan.  I'm not, so I'll just say that Orangie epitomizes pure evil.  He's going to the Economic Summit in Davos this week, or at least that's on his schedule.  Those leaders are not going to welcome him.  This will be unpleasant for Orangie.  He is unable to deal with rejection.  I do not doubt he will leave soon after he arrives.  With a little luck, maybe he'll stroke out on the flight back to Mar a Lago.

Winter Wonderland

We have a bit of a winter wonderland outside.  About 2 inches of snow fell overnight.  Our temps are sitting just around freezing, so I don't think the stuff will be hanging around too long.  Our afternoon temps are supposed to climb into the mid 30s (F) and that's in the melting zone. The streets have already melted clear. 

People ask how Howie is in the snow expecting me to tell them he becomes Mr. Excitement.  He does not.  After answering the call of nature in 2 or 3 spots, he spends most of his time looking for sticks buried under the snow.  He doesn't dash around exuberantly.  

Knowing how foreign languages exercise the brain, I've also started a thing on Duolingo for Norwegian.  Supposedly this is one of the easiest languages to learn, mostly because there are so many ties to English.  It doesn't hurt to give it a shot.

Work was relatively slow yesterday.  I did get a measure.   That will make management happy.  And I do work this afternoon.  This is a short Sunday for me.  Noon until 6 PM.  And I'm back on the schedule for tomorrow.

Here's a pic of our winter wonderland.

And for those not paying attention, the tariffs continue.  Well, not only are they continuing, they're growing.  The Orange Asshole just increased them to the 8 European countries who are sending troops to Greenland.  There are times when I need to just clasp my head in my hands just to make sure the old gourd doesn't explode.  We have a 79 year-old man with dementia running this country who has surrounded himself with kiss ass enablers who are never, ever going to stop him.  Doing so would put an end to their own personal grift.  And these enablers are so stupid, I don't doubt many of them think they will be able to hold onto their ill gotten gains after he is gone.

Also, for those who haven't heard, the Supreme Court has yet to weigh in on Orangie's ability to set tariffs.  If they rule against him, these tariffs will turn into a maelstrom of shit.  And, if they rule for him?  Well, either way there is a good possibility our economy is doomed.  That, in itself, is going to doom the Republican party.