Calm Before The Storm

The weekend...ah yes, the weekend...as the upcoming WEEK will be full of surprises...this, that, and whatever...some things I can't get into and some I can...the most obvious is the interrogation of Trump's personal attorney of 12+ years, Michael Cohen...on the Congressional floor...that you and I can judge for ourselves...as to his validity in what he says,  and to what degree he might divulge into the life of Trump...but RIGHT now, these 2 days of rest are needed and necessary...

Dang, we could be here<<<...as pictured in Maui...now THAT would be a weekend...

Of course, the nite of Sunday is the Academy Awards...always an eye opener to fashion, to the winner's speeches, and the length of the entire broadcast...hmmm, I'm not sure if the party that was planned will be pulled off...the one at the Theater Box...gotta believe the $15 buck a head cost, is a stumbling block for some of my rich friends...talk about irony...

So much talk about the Mueller Report...when it will be released...and, or will it ever see the light of day to the public...some have said that Mueller will release some of the collusion items early...there are those who say, that Trump will block any release of anything in it...just way too many questions...and we will just have to wait to see how this all plays out...

In the past 10 days or so, I have brought up Venezuela to my readers...how there is struggle going on with the Dictator Maduro and the populace who want him ousted...and that Russia has advised Trump and the US to stay out of it...thus far, the US has done just that...and today, a report out that the 'government' fired shots at 'the protestors'...this is a ticking time bomb...

OK, much less of importance...

The PGA has instituted new rules in the game, perhaps, to speed up play as the main reasoning...some are needed...like the time limit being reduced for searching for an errant shot in the whatever...the option to keep the flag stick IN while putting on the green, and the one that makes no sense to me whatsoever...the dropping of a ball, from knee length in lieu of shoulder length...why not just place the ball and get on with it?...and, for goodness sakes, if you must keep the 'drop' in golf, you can drop it either from the shoulder OR the knee...ridiculous...

Another of the brouhaha...is the anchoring of the putter...the long stick that was stuck in the tummy, or by the side of the head, was banished...but, the Pros came up with another way to get around that rule...now, they anchor the putter on the inside of the arm...something doesn't seem right about that...

Just an eerie stage for tonight's hoop game...Duke at Syracuse...in the Carrier Dome...as the Blue Devils are to be with or without Zion?...and the HC of the Orange, was in a tragic accident after his last game...as he hit and killed a pedestrian...snow, ice, and late at nite...imagine his sorrow and it makes a 'game' much less meaningful...

Bryce Harper...the word out is...if the Padres match the Phillies offer, he will be in San Diego...I think that is a long shot...but, I didn't think we were serious about signing Machado, either...

Did you see the shot that Tiger pulled off out of the bunker?...blocked by a tree, he had to improvise a whirlybird follow through that would spin the ball miraculously once it sliced and landed on the green....he did...it did...and I have never, ever, seen ANYONE do that before...from like 150 yards or so...that's why peops like him so much...expect the unexpected...

How about this gem...Trump has asked that the Japanese leader, to nominate Donny for the Nobel Peace Prize!...shoot, why doesn't he ask Putin?...

Survivor has kicked back up again...I never tire of the plot...and the way people treat one another...on that show...ah ha, like in real life, too...my only complaint, is that the first episode was only an hour, should have been two...

Gag Order

The audacity of Roger Stone...you DO know who he is?...of course, YOU do...the confidant of Trump...who put out the picture of the residing Judge in HIS case, with her pix in crosshairs...let's be honest here...the Judge slapped a TOTAL gag order on him...as his defiance reached a new high...I am SURPRISED that she didn't throw him into the slammer...listen, kids, I still think he THINKS he can say or do whatever he wants, EVEN to a Judge....because he expects a PARDON from the Boss...

Bear with me...on this...the layers are being stripped away...as Michael Cohen (Trumps personal attorney for 12 years) was in the Congressional House yesterday, for over 3 hours...in preparation for his testimonies next week...the announced schedule for him...is for 2 days of interrogation BEHIND closed doors...and then ONE day in front of the WORLD!...there are those who are reporting, that he will bring 'CHILLS' to the listening Congressionals and US...as the Boss is out of the country...

It's amazing to think that I am writing about these sorts of shenanigans that actually go on in our leadership...I thought it would stop after Nixon...that it would be a deterrent to anyone that would follow...to coerce the public the way they did...back then...but, I was and am...WRONG!...its on an even HIGHER level this time...as we are talking bringing in another COUNTRY involved in OUR election system...shameful and downright...SCARY!...

One of these levels I am referring to...is what will happen to the elongated investigation of the Mueller Report...as it will be delivered to this year's AG Barr...and it is UP to him to deal with it...let's just say for 'what ifs', he reads damning items about the present inhabitant of the White House...would the Boss fire HIM?...if he chooses to pass it on to Congress...what would happen if it is destroyed?...so many queries to deal with...stay tuned, kids...

The outcry of the blown out shoe, by the star of the Duke Blue Devils...Zion Williamson...he is NOT hurt as bad as everyone was thinking...day to day...BUT...there are repercussions...many of 'em...the shoe maker, Nike, has been taking a hit, financially....really, for one dude's blowout...and even more so...that the NBA just may rescind the rule that the players have to play one year in college prior to being drafted into their league...thus, the 'one and done' would be a goner...all because of the Zion shoe thang...the NBA wants to add, that after the age of 18...they can be admitted into the league...is that the magical age?...

Speaking of the NBA...it got cranked back up last nite...PDX and the LaLa Lakers both won...and need every W that they can get...the Warriors beat the Sac Kings, in a nail biter...I saw that one...and this is to be cast in stone, the Kings are gonna be good...Bagley is a real stud...doesn't get much press, but he should be...they are young, and will mature...into a contender...really...

The Machado Jersey is now back into the Padre Store!...ha ha...he passed the physical, he signed on the dotted line...and Manny is now, officially, a Padre!...and this little tidbit was let out yesterday, too...that Bryce Harper said, allegedly....that if the Padres matched the Phillies offer, he would sign with San Diego...what?...wake me up, I MUST be dreaming...

What say you on this?...the gal who chose to go out of the country...join up with an ISIS bloke...have his baby...wants to come back into the USA...I got that right, right?...and, Trump says 'no way!'...well, she would have to climb over the wall to do so...

Do YOU realize that it was 44* degrees here this am?...it is our personal record for the home...since we moved down in SoCal, some 11 years ago...alas, the sun has reappeared and is the forecast for the next week...a Jim Beam is in order to celebrate...

Smut time...you have been following the TT/KK breakup...well now, the TT connection that facilitated the fall out, has moved out of KyK's home...and to make matters worse...KyK, has put her BFF's lip shade on sale, half off...'I'm gonna show you'...

The Oscar buzz is alive and humming...the Q's are out there...is it true that Adam Lambert and Queen are starting the show?...and, is Whoopi hosting?...and the crowning glory item, will Bradley Cooper join Lady Gaga (Stefani Germanotta) in singing their nominated song?...

For you blokes who are hoop junkies...this is for you...a one time NBA star and then, coach in the league...Don Nelson...was honored last eve in Alameda, at the Golden St game...my oh my, his appearance has changed...long hair, tied in a pony tail...and when asked what he has been up to, his response was 'smoking a lot of weed'....what?...he is living in Maui....wowee....hey, Marsh, you still may have something there...

On the local front...we have been working out...it's true...four straight days...lifting weights, too...I'm huge...no, just kidding about the last statement...but...we are working our way back...

It's a good day...

Culmination

Hey, kids...as we dig out of our frigid temp down here in SoCal...the mood is improving...egads, the use of the heat mode on our Nest is near a constant...have you switched over to the auto thermostat replacement yet?...can be altered by your 'smart' phone, or by YOUR VOICE...thru 'Alexa'...well, look into it...man, I could never figure out the old one we had...this is sooo simple...

My blog title today of 'Culmination'...refers to some thangs that are about to come due...some court cases, the Oscar stuff, the Mueller Report...to name a bunch...as they play out in the next week or so...reportedly....

The first...is the calamity in court in NY, where the one and only...Roger Stone makes an appearance...this, after him publishing a picture of his judge, with her pix in crosshairs...he MUST think he is above the law...and, figures he is going to get a PARDON from his good friend, the Boss...thus, he can say or do whatever he wants...stay tuned to this, as it's an indicator...of things to come...

Michael Cohen is to make an appearance on the Congressional floor...the date I saw was Feb 27...this is prior to his stint in prison, I believe that starts in May...now, both of these blokes are about to get incarcerated because of Trump, or their affiliation with him....

Reports that the Mueller Report has finished...and it now will go to the new AG Barr...who will review it and give a condensed version to Congress...maybe...this is to be next week...but WILL HE?...of course, my great fear is that we won't see the Report...but, the way things LEAK out of the government, there shall be disclosure...fingers crossed...

All the while, Trump will be in Vietnam meeting with the North Korean dictator...as the breaking things are happening in Congress...coincidence?...

We are going to a way cool party at the new Theater Box on 5th...where the Oscars are going to be shown via the big screen...that's on Sunday...really, Jimmy Crack Corn who wins, but, the site is cool and sounds like fun...count the Horse in...

Speaking of awards, the country music has a whole gaggle of 'em...the latest is the ACM's...can't keep up with all they have...it's OK, cuz, the plethora of sangers sang...the country field problem?...its all on the radio...as most of the tunes played, are from the male side of things...and the ladies are ticked, deservedly so...

Have you been following the Smollett case?...where, he wanted to be noticed, allegedly...and had himself be 'attacked'...and now?...he has been arrested...just sad...

The highly anticipated matchup in guys hoops...North Carolina at Duke...number 8 versus number 1...since 1976, they are virtually tied in wins...who's who were there...the avg price for the resale of the tix, were at more than $2500 per...wowser...Prez O was there...anyhoo...the 'star' of the season, Zion Williamson, went down with a blown out shoe, did the splits, and then wrenched his knee...was out and the Tar Heels took advantage and whupped the Blue Devils...I dunno, but I think it would have been a NC win regardless...they were primed...

Then, there are the peops who say that Nike should take a big hit on this...I'm sure they never played in Chuck Taylors Converse shoes...where you ALWAYS turned your ankle in...and, then, the pundits who say that Zion should not play another second in college...give me a break...play while you can...

With all the euphoria of the SD Pads signing Manny Machado...the Padre Store brought out Machado Jerseys...they were selling like 'pancakes'...ah, wait a minute, dudes...he won't officially sign until tomorrow...so, the store took them off the floor...and stored them until then...ha ha...so, if you bought one prior to that, you are...aw fuggit about it...

The Futures this morning?...slightly UP...however, the Market is down right now...maybe I am off...

Your SMUT time...to follow up yesterdays...I know YOU find this intriguing...KK has split from TT, and the gal that he hooked up with, Kylies BFF, has moved out of KyK's home...back to her mommy's home...dang, all this during All Star weekend...where TT was not involved...ah, with the hoops stuff...but the other?...allegedly....

Are you a 'The View' watcher?...I confess I have in the past...ha ha...well now, a conspiracy has emerged...Whoopi has been missing...MIA...and the rumor?...is that she is in hiding, preparing for her next gig...the surprise HOST of the Oscars!...might it be true?....

There you go, just another Tequila Morning...oops, make that 'Tequila Sunrise'...now if we just had the sun...we have the Hornitos...

The Padres Step Up

It seemed like no more than a wish list thang...that we, the San Diego Padres, were in the pecking list of signing the two BIG free agents out there...Manny Machado and Bryce Harper...as, what the pundits say 'SD is a SMALL market team, and can't afford the likes of the two available...'...well, that is not the truth, right?...as we did the remarkable...SIGNED MACHADO!...its a reported 10 yr deal, with an opt out after 5 years...

So...where does that put the Padres?...the acquisition of Manny at 3B, and Ian Kinlser at 2B, last year's free agent signing of Eric Hosmer at 1B...add the rookie SS...mighty diff look...the OF is set...the C's are, too...we have young throwers on the mound...in the crystal ball, I see us moving one of our young OF's for a starting pitcher...

This is a major step in the positive, kids...hang on...and this whisper is still out there...that we are not OUT of the Bryce Harper deal...what?...that has to be the ultimate wish...

OK...

The New York Times published a scathing article on Trump...again...this time, the obstruction of justice item...has to do with Cohen...add another click to the ticking time bomb...the lawyer dude, who is the 'expert' for both CNN and MSNBC, Jeffrey Toobin, said that their are so many items that are brought up...you just add them to the list...wowser...

I get this...there are many Republicans who, with blind faith, believe in their doctrine...and support Trump...but, he is TRULY not one of them, kids...he is his own being...and will stomp anyone he thinks he needs to, to further his own cause...

You see this?...a bill in Oregon that is asking for the 16 yr olds the right to vote...as they have the right to drive a car, and therefor, the act is synonymous...what say you?...

Trump's new AG, Barr...think he is getting any recommendations from the present dweller of the White House?...if history proves itself right, he is...Donny needs layers and layers of protection...for the inevitable...

Daniel Coats, the present top Intelligence Official, is rumored to be the next in line to get the axe...allegedly not in the support mode that is needed by guess who...

Bernie Sanders, just announced his Prez campaign...raised $6 million already!...

The Futures were basically flat this am...just like yesterday...as was the Market...I may be onto something here...

Kelly Ann Conway...a spokesperson for Trump...was a 'guest' on Cuomo's CNN Show...and let this out...by accident?...when responding to the Mueller Report...she added 'what report?'...the inference is that the new AG will block the release of it...you getting nauseated?...maybe, you should...

Let's end with this...the smut report...ah, Smut...Tristan and Kloe have split...this after she had his baby...not married...OK, it's the way of the world?...and he allegedly cheated with sis Kylie's BFF...and then KK found out...and then...well, c'mon...one big happy fam...

Elvis All Star Tribute

BREAKING NEWS!!!  Manny Machado a Padre!!!   reported 10 year contract, with an opt out after 5...

This is an absolute MUST for ya'll...find it On Demand, or whatever you have to search for a show that just aired on the pixels...NBC's 'Elvis All Star Tribute'...based on the production by Elvis Presley in the year of 1968...done in the 'round', so to speak...it actually was done in the 'square'...but, c'mon, nobody says that...

Hosted by Blake Shelton...and a wide range of singing stars did covers of Elvis songs...and they did MARVELOUSLY!...who is Post Malone?...seen him twice in the past week or so...like on the Grammy's too...there were some outstanding deliveries...hmmm, there wasn't a bad one...the best?...eye of the beholder, but... the topper was by Carrie Underwood, 'How Great Thou Art'...tell me when you watch this, that it didn't bring tears to your eyes...

Two more Demos have announced that they are entering the Prez race for 2020...Bernie Sanders is
back...interesting...and the one that really intrigues me, is the gal from Minnesota...a Senator...Amy Klobuchar...was in a town hall meeting last nite...aired by CNN...and listen to me, kids...she is the real deal...is confident, has a strong background, and speaks well...a dark horse, but they all are right now...

Fallout from the win in LaLa, for JB Holmes...that so many of his fellow golfers, are miffed by his deliberate pace of play...I will tell you this, nothing aggravates me more than blokes who take TOO long to hack around a golf course...I don't care how good or bad YOU are, PICK up the pace...

Most of the web net places I read this morning, say the same thing...that Trump is irritated with the people who are against him on his Trump Wall...and has called out California as a real stumbling block...duh...we are against him...as I am speaking for the entire state...ha ha...

The Temper-Pedic mattress finally arrived...it's a 4 inch topper...that comes in a smallish box, then expands back to shape once you put it on the bed...weird...it DIDN'T smell like I figured it would...and the result of the addition?...the best sleep we have had...like forever...

Yes, people, we are having a REAL winter...it was 44* when we awoke this am...may even get colder tomorrow...snow in the mountains, and it stretches all the way to Vegas...oh my...gotta find a warmer climate to move to...maybe, Marsh's idea of Maui, ain't that bad, after all...

The Futures this am?...slightly down...

Donny Jr, has been following in the footsteps of his poppa...has been resorting to Tweets...to do his propaganda forum...his latest?...condemning Alec Baldwin for his SNL stint...ha ha...rest now, Jr...you will need it before your appearance on the Congressional floor...dah dah...dah dah...the Jaws music...dah dah...

I'm reading that this cold weather is rolling into the east...like more snow...egads...

Turned into the gals UO/OSU hoops game...as the Lady Beavs were victorious at home...Corvallis...bet you San Diegans have no clue where that is...ah, yea, the Beavers were the better team last nite...

Down here...lots of fingers crossed that the Padres are going to sign up Manny Machado...reports are that we offered him an 8 year deal, worth greater than $240 million!...man, that is a bundle of cash...imagine...

Finally, to honor Presidents Day...there was this author, er blogger...same thing?...ha ha...then, you can call me an AUTHOR!...I digress...that asked the Q, if you could...who would be in YOUR foursome of Presidents to play golf with?...I know which one I wouldn't choose...

Presidents Day

This is the day to honor our top position in the USA...we call it 'Presidents Day'...most of the pictures include Washington and Lincoln...right?...that are the symbols for the celebration...around here in SoCal, they have already used the day up for the festivities...schools closed, the parking meters not checked, no mail....and thus, the golf courses slammed...I digress...but, Nationally, it is today...

Back in school, I had a hard time connecting to the importance of history...geez, reminder to all of you, that was like 50+ years ago...didn't take long after, that I changed 180*...and found 'the past' so interesting and necessary...became a voracious reader...well, I started to read books...got hooked into the light bios of the famous people of the past...FDR, Ike, and then...JFK, in real depth...it actually took the assassination of him, to really get me going...

And since that horrific day, the TV became the vessel of knowledge and information...that came out, almost immediately, to the common person...up front and personal the President became...from LBJ all the way to the present guy in our top office...still, the pixels don't expose enough...there are too many things behind the closed doors of the White House, that exist...

Nixon was the perfect example of that...his corruption was highlighted with his resignation after Watergate...as the TV showed the sad tale of it all, as Congress interrogated his people that were shielding him...terrific show, but, in reality, a very damning look at what this country can elect...in the supposed 'perfect' government system...this Democracy...

Listen, there were many good times, too...shaking Jimmy Carter's hand, and actually having an intellect in the top office was amazing...the way that Bill Clinton could use the words of the language to soothe our souls...still, he was a glimpse of what was to come...Barack Obama, may be the most illustrious speaker we may ever have...and then, there were the Repubs...Reagan and the Bushes...

That was the era of the Horse being an elephant...really...I was a Repub...don't hate me...I wasn't involved much...but, the TV came back into play in the Papa Bush tenure...hmmm, that word sounds wrong...should be his 'elected term'...that's better...Saturday Nite Live mocked him...satire was born...ha ha...well, it lived on...

And ever since, that show, SNL...has found humor in what the Prez does or says...ie, the other Bush, Clinton, Obama, and now, the bloke occupying the White House...and the present one, doesn't like it...as his continual ploy of suppressing the news sources...continues on...he would like to arrest the people that disagree with his policies...or his past...

I can't or will not ruin the day...with the insane Tweets of Trump towards SNL...it's an isolated case of a...well, let's just disregard this on Presidents Day...the rest is dang good...

Other...

The LaLa Open, er the Genesis...whatever...30 holes on Sunday to garner a W in the event...as the winds and cold took over the course...dictated the method of operation to meander about...Tiger came undone...so did Lefty...as did Spieth...BTW, he has lost his game...badly...and in the final group, Adam Scott and JT, fell victim to the weather...and the one who persevered, JB Holmes, deserved the win...but, oh my, he is a slow player...

The NBA AS game...yup, did watch it...WTH?...how can you have an MVP of this fiasco...KD got it...but, cmon...someone forget to tell Embiid that there was NO defense to be played...ha ha...yawner...

Miranda Lambert found her newest 'love of her life'...a bloke that just had a baby with another woman, 3 months ago...sounds like a good find, Miranda...

Remember when this day was known for 'huge' sales...big reductions...one would find these prices in the newspaper...ah ha, now there are fewer and fewer printed pages...of the paper...

Are you reading, listening, or watching any of Trump's reactions to Andrew McCabe's interview on 60 Minutes?...or, his possible 'threats' to his impersonator on SNL, Alec Baldwin?...I'm a thinking that he may have some form of breakdown...physically, mentally, or emotionally...

Happy Presidents Day...well, it could be...

Chilling

For a while, time went back...like in the glory days...when the crowd went ballistic...as they witnessed the best golfer, EVER!...put a string of 4 holes together in LaLa Land...I'm talking Tiger Woods...as he started his 3rd round like this...Birdie-Eagle-Birdie-Birdie!!!...listen, it makes no difference if he can keep that up...like who can?...but, it happened...and for most of us, AGAIN!...

It's like watching Michael Jordan going off, whupping all the youngins...again...at the age of 40 something...or seeing Tom Brady destroying defenses in the NFL, packed with all that youth...ready to destroy him...as he wins another championship...like P Nolan Ryan, striking out all the dudes who are making 5 times as much as he...makes...at 40 something...

So, Tiger picks back up where he left off...at the same time that I am writing this am...and this day will be long...most of the field has most of round 3 to complete...take a sandwich break, and get on out and play the 4th and final...lot of holes, kids...listen, it was just so much fun to watch what he did yesterday afternoon...regardless of the day's outcome...

Are you watching any of the NBA All Star weekend stuff?...not me...not sure what pixel channel is carrying it...have seen some highlights of the dunk, skills (?), and 3 point shooting...Jimmy Crack Corn...and am in limbo about the AS game itself...when is it?...see what I mean?...

But, will watch the special of 'Honoring Elvis Presley'...as singers will do his songs...most are country crooners...ha ha...just had to use that description...it's playing this eve...find it and enjoy...just HAS to be good...Little Big Town, Carrie, and Blake are just a few of the 'acts' to perform...

Trump has one perfectly awful characteristic...he eventually will turn on all of his supporters...eventually...a trait of an extreme paranoia bloke...if they choose to say something that he deems 'not supportive'...he will lambast 'em...if he employs them, will 'fire them'...ah yes, for some reason he turned on his very own, Ann Coulter...do not know why...and, of course, she retaliated...oops, called the orange ogre an 'idiot'...ha ha...'he is the national emergency'...yup, good stuff...for the rest of us...

With all of the people choosing to run for the Presidency, the early returns...hmmm...the polls are favoring Kamala Harris...it's too early for the Horse to have an opinion...rumors are that Trump doesn't want Joe Biden to run...fears that he could beat him...too early...we have some subpoenas to go...ha ha...

Tonight, on '60 Minutes', Andrew McCabe will be interviewed...keep your mind open and just watch it...there are layers and layers to go...

College hoops...Duke is downright good...can, or, will they win it all?...the one and done thang of the Big Dance...makes it real hard...don't care, who it is, as favorite...one bad nite, and you are done...but, if I were a bettor on these games, they would be my $2 buck bet...

Hey, did you see, that THEY are asking for 19 years at least, for prison for Manafort?...he has to be asking for a PARDON...if Trump is still in office...wouldn't it be a shame...if he lied for him, and then Trump got escorted out of the White House?...and he couldn't get his pass?...listen, Paul, you have to figure that in...ha ha...

I know I consider this a puzzle...much like Watergate was...but, if the 'committee' brings Donny Jr in front of Congress...the dominoes will fall...one by one...on its way up...this is where the Senate Republicans will change their tune...

This was, er, is...Miranda Lambert in the news...for dumping a salad on a 'friend' in a steak house...by now, you have heard of the story...well, she then released this...that she was 'secretly married'...what?...are the two connected?...Inquiring minds...

You ever watch the comedy 'Friends?'...one of my favs...yes, even still...shoot, I can still watch 'em...much like Seinfeld...one of the gal stars, Courtney Cox...chose to add fillers, or whatever to her face...and made her look odd...she has recognized this...and is going back to her original state...why did I just write this?...

Let's bring this to the now...we bought a 'Temper-Pedic' mattress from Costco...online...and 'they' said that it would arrive...ah, yesterday...then, it changed to Monday...now, it is to be next Friday...what?...I can 'track' the package...it has been sitting in Memphis for at least 4 days...just sitting there...WTH?...dang, if I would have paid $30 more, I could have had it in 2 days...hmmm, maybe...is this normal for Costco?...

Update out of Riviera...Tiger is 7 under after 13 holes...!!!...

Finally, the difference between the brown eggs and the white eggs?...despite more cost, but...the CHICKS that lay them are BIGGER...