Deb had to work Christmas day and BeezleBub had animals to feed at the farm, so we did not travel on Christmas Day. However we do plan to pay a visit to the WP In Laws this coming Wednesday, one of the rare Wednesdays that Deb has off (her schedule was juggled around because she worked Christmas Day).
BeezleBub scored a real haul for Christmas this year. Unlike other kids, he actually likes getting clothing. He's not a clothes horse by any means. Rather his tastes run to the practical, with a good portion of his wardrobe coming by way of Duluth Trading Company. Much of it leans heavily towards the plaids, with heavy duty work pants being a close second. (He really likes the Fire Hose Canvas jeans [this year] and work coat [last year], both of which are perfect for working on the farm during the winter.)
He did end up with one non-clothing gift – a laptop – something he can use for school for the next few years. (I have to admit to scoring a real coup on that one, getting a discontinued model that had been hidden away by newer laptops. The retailer cut us a heck of a deal just to get it off their inventory.)
We spent part of the morning getting it all set up. I figured he'd be off surfing the 'net or checking out his Facebook account. Nope. Instead, he loaded Farming Simulator and spent hours on his virtual farm.
***********
The New England Patriots cinched a first week playoff by on Saturday be defeating the Miami Dolphins in Foxboro, 27-24. If the Pats can beat Buffalo next weekend then they'll have home field advantage for their playoff games.***********
After almost 40 years of affirmative action the results have not been what proponents had hoped. It turns out it has hurt the very people it was intended to 'help'.That's not surprising considering its stated purpose was to level the playing field in academia to promote minority achievement, but as it was practiced it let unqualified students into college.
Call it yet another example of liberal policies coming under the sway of the Law of Unintended Consequences.
***********
NOTE: This was written much later (Tuesday). As you've seen, there was no post on Sunday or Monday. It wasn't from lack of trying. What happened was an unexpected 'gift' from the WP Parents, who previously received it from one of the WP nephews.Late Christmas evening I came down with a stomach bug that has been making the rounds. Between the vomiting, diarrhea, and severe dehydration, I was left totally bed/bathroom ridden. I was not a pretty sight (not that I am under normal circumstances). Even now I am not 100% and feel as if I've been through a boxing match...and losing.
All I can hope is that neither Deb or BeezleBub will come down with it. I took what precautions I could, in effect isolating myself by sleeping in a different room and using a different bathroom (which shall be disinfected from floor to ceiling sometime later today or tomorrow).
***********
This story begs the question “How many more crimes will become capital crimes as the demand for transplant organs increases?”It's right out of the pages of Larry Niven's Gil “The Arm” Hamilton series.
***********
As conditions in Egypt continue to deteriorate and Christians there come under increasing harrassment and persecution, is it possible they will seek asylum in the US?As Glenn Reynolds writes: “I predict a chilly reception from the Obama/Clinton State Department.”
Unfortunately, so do I.
***********
Ed Driscoll covers the decline of civilization in California, between increasing thefts of things like wiring in street lamps and bronze plaques on public buildings to the ever more confiscatory taxes and anti-business regulations.It seems that through our history that what happens in California tends to migrate to the rest of the nation, whether it is a fad, new educational theories, or outright lunacy. Let us hope that this dissolution of the miracle that was California doesn't spread like a cancer to the rest of the nation. (We've already seen some of the disease in places like New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.) Unfortunately it is likely to do so unless state and local governments are willing to make some hard choices and the changes that go with them.
***********
David Starr makes the case for open primaries, where non-declared voters can declare for a party at the polls and then vote. We have open primaries in New Hampshire, with one addition- after voting we can “undeclare” upon exiting to return to our independent status.***********
Jeff Soyer tells us about proposed gun rights legislation in Utah, an open carry state. Apparently otherwise law-abiding citizens carrying their firearms within the guidelines of Utah's open carry statutes have been harassed, arrested, charged with “other” offenses like disturbing the peace or disorderly conduct solely because they had their weapons. The proposed legislation would hopefully reduce such incidents.We'll see.
New Hampshire is an open carry state and I've never had a problem wearing my sidearm. But then I haven't gone places where I am unknown to the local gendarmerie while wearing it.