One of the laziest excuses for drinking is here, Christmas in July. Local breweries brew up a batch or two of their Christmas ale, people put kegs they’ve held onto since December on tap, decorations come out, and Christmas music comes out for a couple of days. Last year, it happened to coincide with a couple of Glibs passing through, and they got to see pitchers of Christmas Ale flowing.
As training camps have started up, I figured now would also be the time to see if there would be interest in a Glibs fantasy football league, if there’s interest and preference for platforms, let me know (my main leagues are on Sleeper).
We’ll get going with some local history.
Well, this confirms my biases.
I feel like this is my childhood being sold back to me.
There’s some tensions brewing in the punk scene. I have a feeling this will hurt the Dropkicks.
Who wants to take over 15 minutes before the first Trump reference?
[This link intentionally left blank]
The spin of this piece is something to behold.
At least in my experience, the Strip left blue collar/middle class behind quite a while back. Downtown was pulling in that class of people.
A gift for the musician or autist in your life.
So, why can’t the student club raise the funds to do this themselves?
[This link intentionally left blank]
But what about the chocolate ration?
Nope, we should just shut it all down.
It’s Christmas in July, so let’s do some prep work for Christmas. For once, I’m taking a very specific recipe from a very specific personality. Since it’s also July, and things I think are common knowledge aren’t, your tip for the week is to put a couple of dashes of bitters on top of vanilla ice cream. Trust me.
Alton Brown’s Aged Eggnog
- 12 egg yolks (save the whites by putting them into a clean freezer tray and freezing them)
- 1 pound sugar
- 1 pint half and half
- 1 pint whole milk
- 1 pint heavy cream
- 1 cup Jamaican rum
- 1 cup cognac
- 1 cup bourbon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- Dash of salt
Put the yolks in a large mixing bowl with the sugar and nutmeg. Then whisk them until the yolks lighten in color and it flows like a ribbon. In a clean jar, combine all of the dairy and booze and give a gentle stir. At this point you want to gently beat the yolk mixture into the boozy dairy mixture, put into airtight containers and stash it in the fridge for at least 2 weeks.
With those egg whites, you can always go back to some of the sour recipes I’ve shared.
Hope you all are able to find something fun to take up your time this weekend.
For ten bucks, I might just buy it.
Thank you for the reminder! Something to do for the weekend…
I’m being strong by looking at the fact I have several of them on GOG already, and haven’t gone back to play them. I played the original gold box series and silver box series back in the day (as well as the Dragonlance games). I’m pretty sure I still remember a bit of the cheese strategies.
All of that is too new for me. Greyhawk/white box or die!
Or, wait, are those video games and not modules?
No interest, either now or back when I was a kid.
Or, wait, are those video games and not modules?
Yep. I’ve heard good things about the SSI Gold Box games. I’ve never played them.
Silver box I don’t remember anything about.
Pool of Radiance and Curse of the Azure Bonds were the best. Secret of the Silver Blades and Pools of Darkness were still pretty good, but were subject to EvilSheldon’s First Rule of Role Playing Game Management: “The more powerful the players, the less interesting the game.”
Where did I place my Kender thief?
Call of the Wild is a Zen experience that helps me calm down – until I miss the shot and the animals all scatter.
I absolutely sucked at those video games.
Same.
Huh. I thought they were pretty easy. Definitely easier than the Ultimas.
A few years ago I went back and played through the Ultimas again. Conclusion: seriously overrated.
I’m replaying the Dragons Quest JRPGs right now (the IOs pixel remasters, both for the better art and to prevent myself from cheating too much.) They hold up surprisingly well, much better than the early Final Fantasy games, and I’m not generally a big JRPG fan at all.
From yesterday’s afternoon piece. Giri or honmei?
Wait, was that wrong?
Actually the problem is that they’re cheap chinese crap that might explode when using live ammo.
Do the claw games also have ammo?
It was discovered that Collins gave money to President Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. Fans immediately filed a petition, which has gotten over a thousand signatures, to cancel the festival’s next stops in Massachusetts and California in September and October.
“Fans”?
Who are punk fans, anyway? Stockbrokers? The “young male demographic” skews Trumpward, or do I have been told.
Punk fans come from all political (and no political views). There’s still a strong undercurrent of communism wrapped up in anarchy and “liberal” beliefs, and a much larger group of anti-authority types. It’s sad watching some of the so called anti-establishment types suck up to the establishment, showing that they really don’t have any convictions.
As a case in point, Dropkicks draw a lot of support from the blue collar/union types. After 9/11, they went on an American Pride tour, with songs and stage talking up both firefighters and police officers. They were always pro-union, but going anti-Trump is not going to play well with their main fan base. The one thing that is still strong in most of the punk communities is the idea of Nazi punks, fuck off.
Well, if Dropkick is out, it could be a good show.
On Wednesday, NPR’s Jack Corbett pointed out that there was an option on Pay.gov, the Treasury’s online payment platform, where Americans could go to throw their Venmo dollars at the gargantuan national debt. You can also use PayPal. The page is titled “Gifts to Reduce the Public Debt.”
They’re going modern. You could always cut a check to do that. I suspect the amount of money collected won’t change much.
If they balance the budget 3 straight years, true balance no deficit, no bs off books games to get there, I will donate my per capita share of the debt. You don’t give people money to bail them out until they solve the issues that got them in the mess because it encourages them to keep doing the wrong things.
You sure about that? It’s roughly $100K per capita right now, I think – $37TT for 370MM people.
I’m sure. I’m also sure there is no chance I’ll end up having to do it.
The eggnog is also good fresh, I knocked it down to a pint serving size for those odd nights when my wife wants eggnog.
We make it every Halloween for Christmas and New Years.
It also is still good at least 3 years, we had some in the fridge we forgot about when I had surgery and it still tasted fine.
Vegas casino food has been a loss leader since before the mob ran things.
Ya cause in booming years of $1.99 steak and eggs was casinos clamoring for people back then
“Punk Rock and Donald Trump just don’t belong together,” the band wrote in an Instagram post addressing the cancellation. “So, upon finding out that Brew Ha Ha promotions donated to the Trump campaign, we will not be playing any more Punk in the Park shows.”
Joe Biden should be in the Punk Rock Hall of Fame for his long career of celebrating rebellious nonconformity. Right next to Obama.
It’s actually the Punk Rock Museum. It entertains me that I recognize and have met a good chunk of the tour guides that I’ve seen listed on their site.
I’m reminded of South Park being so stunning and brave the other night to trash Trump yet again with a recycled Satan plot line. After claiming they wouldn’t make the new season all about Trump and after completely ignoring the train wreck of the last administration.
If there is one thing about Trump it’s how he brings out people’s true sympathies.
I saw it on the nose bit and chuckled
This is an absolute joke. Leaders on both sides of the aisle harangue Americans every day about the specter of the national debt while throwing billions of dollars at funding the military, funding Israel’s military, and funding Trump’s brutal immigration campaign. To even create this option when the majority of the country is working/middle class appears deeply unserious and tone deaf.
And even if people were feeling generous, it would be virtually impossible to make a dent in the debt given its current size and the fact that it is set to keep growing, and fast.
Wait, what? I thought we were going to fix the national debt by raising taxes on a handful of billionaires and kkkorporations.
The author of that piece could always open up a bedroom or two to some of the child wage/sex slaves their favorite cartels helped in, in order to show how caring and compassionate they are.
I wonder if the Dropkicks and the other preening “anti-fascists” participated in Kamala’s get out the vote campaign.
Show your love for democracy and freedom of speech. Please register and vote, just as long as it’s FOR THE DEMOCRAT.
IT’S DIFFERENT WHEN WE DO IT!!!
Depends on the show. Quite a few shows will have a voter registration table and some political group (usually progressive) next to the merch tables. There’s also local outreach groups that give out items like fentanyl test strips, condoms, narcan, and other items. Then there’s also the various charity groups that set up there as well, from conversations with the people at the charity tables, the first timers are usually surprised at the freaks and geeks giving and signing up. Hell, it’s how I learned about DKMS, and they are still the only group that I’ve willingly provided my DNA to.
I didn’t care about their politics. Now it gets shoved in my face, so FAFO. When Dropkicks decide to use their political beliefs to cancel a contract for shows it just makes them unbelievable whiny pussies in my book. They can f*ck off.
Back in high school, going to shows ($5 for all day bands at the grange) you might see a kid with a political button, but they were usually off to the side, talking to themselves and never in the pit. Of course, skins would be at the show and it was nothing special either.
R.J.:
They were always clear about their politics, I simply stepped out of the pit during the annoyingly pro-union songs. They bitched out a crowd of people for claiming to be hyphenated Americans. They’ve threatened bouncers at shows I was at for not letting fans come up on stage.
But cancelling a contract because of a political donation, that’s some pansy ass bullshit. I’m now kind of glad I haven’t picked up tickets to their show here in a couple of weeks (although it does have Bad Religion still).
Nobody gave a shit about politics in the old goth and industrial circles I ran with and that’s the way it should be.
These are the same people bitching about Colbert being canceled for putatively political reasons.
Nasty little hypocrites.
Sorry Suthen, had to go buy a few things, and didn’t mean to lose the conversation.
You are also the inevitable outcome of the universe
That’s a nice sentiment, but it is bunk, as Ozzy’s explanation of statistics should help illuminate; in this case, his prime source says the probability of anything that has occurred is 1. Thus there was never any probability attached to your (or my) existence. Nor were they in any way predictable, we’re just here, and not for any grand reason. You’ve transferred the omniscience of God to an impersonal universe, but the creation of God was deliberate, the universe entirely contingent, even if both are out of chaos.
Humanity has been sentient for quite some time, but the notion of rights is a product of a very specific (and fairly recent) time and anything but universally recognized by all cultures. I’m not disputing that it is a good idea, it is one of the best we’ve ever had – it places us well above the rest of human thinking, and even more human behavior (based on our thinking about values) – and it SHOULD spread to as many people and places as possible. The problem is the roots of it, which is what you are getting at; your foundational statement isn’t the same as others – which means even if you agree at the top, you don’t at the bottom. My point is if we have the agreement at the top, the bottom no longer matters.
My cell coverage here at home has been bad all day. Roofers are here putting on a metal roof. I hope the two aren’t connected and that this won’t be the new normal.
Don’t trust them, it’s a faraday cage!
The voice of The Hair and The Hair lives here, only gilded cages allowed.
Mexicans, Venezuelans, El Salvadoreans or Nicaraguans?
Contractors have their own favorites, it seems. Or else go with what is available.
Amish.
I have metal roofs, no problems…
I mean, with the cell phone and metal roofs.
Amish built my metal building, fast and well done.
Good thing it’s not Cubans – he’d be getting transmissions from the Kremlin via Havana.
I have a steel roof on my house in the Gulch. No issues. Wi-fi and internet suck, because Spectrum.
Here in East Gulch the internet is great. Suspicious, given that it is also Spectrum.
My shop is nearly a dead space, south of the shop is a dead space. Nearest cell tower is about three miles north of the shop.
Tinnnn roof!
Just don’t ruin the Smut Peddlers for me.
They have a track about how immoral it is to be gay. Whether that ruins it for you is up to you.
Quite a few shows will have a voter registration table and some political group (usually progressive) next to the merch tables.
The irony of those bands actively and specifically promoting DEMOCRACY! then while engaging in political censorship now probably would be completely invisible to most people, but not everybody.
When Dropkicks decide to use their political beliefs to cancel a contract for shows it just makes them unbelievable whiny pussies in my book. They can f*ck off.
Silence is consent, man. Are you going to sit there and do nothing while Trump’s robot army of Nazi madmen pollute the mosh pits of America?
I had to stay quiet when Biden’s army of madmen were everywhere. Those whiny pussies can return the favor by shutting up and being entertainers.
My cell coverage here at home has been bad all day. Roofers are here putting on a metal roof. I hope the two aren’t connected and that this won’t be the new normal.
I lived in a metal pole barn in Montana for nearly 20 years. I never noticed any problems.
https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/wolfenstein-tv-series-amazon-kilter-patrick-somerville-1236469609/
Huh.
Who are they casting as Trumphitler?
Huh.
LOL
going back in time
I’m happy if my clocks are with a minute of official time.
I’m shocked there was no mention of climate change.
I’m shocked it wasn’t blamed on Trump.
Shocking, because it fits the narrative:
1. Earth warms
2. Glaciers melt
3. Water flows downhill
4. Earth’s moment of inertia decreases.
5. Earth’s angular velocity increases.
6. Shorter days.
So, the earth is getting less viscous? Obviously Global Warming (r).
If it keeps spinning faster we will all be thrown into space.
Ghaaaaaa!
Everybody start jogging to the East tomorrow morning!
And just one year ago…
Why Earth Is Now Spinning More Slowly—And Days Are Getting Longer
It’s ClImATe ChAnGe what dunnit!
Cha-cha-changes, turn and face the strange!
It’s summer. On the way to the beer store I saw a truck pulling a ski boat. Headed for American Falls, I assume.
Idaho or NY?
Pervasive culture of censorship
Sherald said she was informed that the gallery had “concerns” about her painting of a trans Statue of Liberty, which she said led to “discussions about removing it.”
“While no single person is to blame, it’s clear that institutional fear shaped by a broader climate of political hostility toward trans lives played a role,” Sherald said in a statement to ABC News. “This painting exists to hold space for someone whose humanity has been politicized and disregarded. I cannot in good conscience comply with a culture of censorship, especially when it targets vulnerable communities.”
Trans Statue of Liberty? How can we tell? Does it have a monstrous erection?
I just wanted to see the painting.
Also I wanted to point out the irony that these asshats are so pro-censorship that they proactively censor themselves when nobody asks them to.
I thought she was going to paint the Statue of Liberty in rainbow colors…
I was trying to find a photo of the painting and I came across this:
https://www.out.com/television/2019/10/19/statue-liberty-actually-probably-man
From the “everything is ‘queer'” files, volume MCMLXVIII.
Buzzword buzzword herpity derpity doo.
Enjoy it while it lasts. America is rapidly getting sick of your shit.
+1 Mirth and Girth
Oh damn, there’s a Spinal Tap reunion film coming out:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wMQZG9u4Sjg
I shall watch this.
I made that eggnog recipe last year. Can recommend. One thought:
It makes a shitload of eggnog. It’s a lot to handle at one time. I struggled to find bowls big enough to make it in, and getting the eggs and sugar to marry was a major pain.
Make it a half recipe at a time, would be my suggestion. It’s what I will do this year.
I just read that recipe and holy shit. I’m the only one I know who will drink eggnog (if I feel like getting all snotted up in the head). I have a per-cup recipe, and that’s pretty much all I can take in a Christmas season. Way too rich for more than that.