This Is All Bullshit

   Donald Trump has been in office for 8 days EIGHT DAYS. And he seems to be turning America back fucking near 70 or 80 years. He's torn up trade agreements. He's ordered the building of the Wall, and says Mexico will pay for it. To which Mexico has said: Vete a la mierda. Trump hints there could be sanctions slapped on imports which (some say) would end up costing Americans instead. How that would work, I haven't got a fucking clue, since I can balance my bank accounts, but that's about it when it comes to finances.

   What else has he done. Oh, yeah. He's slapped travel restrictions on several countries (mainly Muslim), to which Iran has responded by barring Americans, although I don't think of Iran as a major holiday destination. He's asked for the nuclear program to ramp up. And he continues to obsess over his popularity, claiming voter fraud, since he didn't get the popular vote. Mr. Trump: You won the only fucking vote that really counts, the electoral college. Get over it for fuck sake.

   And don't think I'm coming off as liberal. I'm not. I'm a long, long way from being liberal. A LONG way. But I am, however, of the mindset that The Donald is going a bit too far with some of his pronouncements. I alluded to the clock being turned back at the start of this rapidly becoming a rant instead of a post. That's a reference to the isolationism that ran rampant in the U.S "back in the day" in the 1930's. Create jobs for Americans-YES. Put American interests first-MAYBE. It's fine to preach that, but it well may backfire. International trade is a key to any economy, especially with the burgeoning powerhouse China (which Trump is also pissing off). By all means, look after #1, but don't shit all over your established trading partners who need you just as much as you need them.

   As for suspending travel from certain countries...I don't think that's such a bright idea. I believe he may have made the move with the intent of keeping radical Islamists out. Which in itself may be fine. But to suspend visas and (in some cases entry) simply due to someone's country of origin smacks of Nazism, with all that entailed.

   Holy Shit! This DID turn into a rant.

   'Nuff said

Now THAT'S A Beer

   In past years, I've blogged about beer. But I heard something on my local radio station today about a beer that isn't just any old run-of-the-mill specially produced brewski. This suds is SPECIALLY specially produced. And it's for one person only. Seems there's an outfit in Merry Olde England that'll produce 12 hectoliters of beer tailored to your own personal taste.

   And they use your DNA to brew it. Actually, they scan your genes (from a saliva sample you provide), and map your personal taste profile, things like bitterness, sweetness etc, then come up with a recipe for a beer to suit your taste buds perfectly.

   Again, this is in London, England, so I don't suppose there's much chance it'll be coming to Canada or the U.S.A anytime soon. And it's probably just as well, given the cost. That 12 hectoliters (equivalent to about 2000 pints) will run you 25 THOUSAND Pounds. That's $40 thou Canadian, about $31 grand in the U.S. Then, there's the little matter of volume. 2000 pints is a LOT of beer, and unless you have a LOT of people with your exact taste, I'm thinking a lot of it will get skunky long before you crack 'em all.

   Still, if I had the money, I'd give it a try. My liver might not thank me, but I'd giver it a go.

   'Nuff said.

An Epic Fail?

   Everything I've read suggests it was. Mariah Carey "performed" at the Dick Clark Rockin' New Years Eve (I think that's what it's called) on Saturday. If you consider fucking up a lip-synch set as a performance. SHE claims there was a problem with the monitors. SHE claims she was "set up" for a fail by the producers. Something they vehemently deny. I'll be fair here, I did not watch the show. I was safely tucked in bed about 9:30, trying to stay warm. Generally, I don't stay up late anyway, and certainly not for Mariah Carey.
   That said, everything I've seen points to a screw up on her end, rather than the production team. I mean, just how bad are you to fuck up a lip-synch? In her case, I guess pretty bad, since she's been caught mouthing the words to her own songs more than once. Why not just get out on stage and do your show live? Unless you can't, and need your tracks pre-recorded for you to mouth over.
   Which IMHO is pretty sad. The Rolling Stones just released a new CD they recorded (Blue & Lonesome) in just 3 sessions and which, for the most part, was a live performance. And the Stones are just one example of people using their talent. Zeppelin, Floyd, Queen, AC/DC, the Eagles, George Straight and a host of others actually played LIVE at their gigs. Yes, they had problems with monitors and other gear, but NO, they did not blame the producer of their shows. They simply got on with the business at hand and played their concert.
   But, I guess this shows what a lack of innate talent ends up looking and sounding like. To her credit, I'm sure Mariah has given stellar live shows in the past. But not that night.
   Again, judging from what I've seen and heard about it, I'm glad I went to bed at 9:30 and missed the 'show'. But the other part of me kinda wishes I'd stayed up and watched a really good train wreck.
   Happy New Year!
  'Nuff said.

Fuck Off, 2016

(Photo credit to The Poke)

     I for one won't be sorry to see this year end, given the spate of famous people who shuffled off this mortal coil and joined the choir invisible. I suppose if you did a statistical comparison with any other year, the number of celebrity deaths would probably be pretty close to the number we lost this year, and I know we can't blame a year for the spate of deaths. But it does seem 2016 was particularly harsh for famous people who died. Carrie Fisher was the latest, but we also said good-bye to David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Gene Wilder, Prince, Muhammad Ali, John Glen, Glenn Frey and George Michael. Just to name a few.

   Perhaps it's the fact this was a Leap Year? O-kay, not likely. But the Grim Reaper did seem to have his scythe very sharp the past 362 days (as of this post). And with 4 days still left in the year (again, as of this post), you wonder "who's next"?

   I really don't wish ill on anyone, but if the man in the black robes is a viewer, I've got a short list. And these are not who I class as A-list celebrities. More like Q or even Z list. So, if you are out there Mr. Reaper, and are still looking to fill a quota, would you be so kind as to take.....well, karma's a bitch, so I won't give names here. But there is a certain young singer with the initials J.B, a rap 'star' with the initials K.W and his wife K.K. Again, not a wish or "hit" list, but if you're looking for a few extras to round out the year, some suggestions.

   Oh, yeah. Happy 2017.

   'Nuff said.

I Need To Post Something

   So, here it is:

   Donald Trump has been chosen by the Electoral College S to be the next President of the United State of America. He got the needed votes to be confirmed today, getting 304 to Hillary Clinton's 270 votes are needed to become POTUS.
   And ever since his election win in November, there were protestors out ion force in several cities across the Good 'Ole USA. But the "deal" is still not sealed. Apparently, the U.S Congress meets in early January to certify the results, with current V.P Joe Biden presiding. But with the Republicans in full control, it's all but certain Trump will be inaugurated January 20th.
   Good luck, America. You might need it. (And no, I'm NOT a Liberal.)
   'Nuff said.

He's Getting What?

   Kanye West is in hospital in a "poor mental state". Boo-fucking-hoo. To say I'm not a fan of Mr. Kardashian is a vast understatement. I'm even less of a fan (if that's possible) after hearing about this. Seems K has ended a couple of his "concerts" early before he was taken in for care in L.A. And as a result, he's had to cancel 21 more. And this is where I have a huge problem.

   Seems his insurance policy is going to kick in which covers lost profits and financial obligations for cancelled concerts due to illness, and he could MAKE up to 30 million dollars. Jesus fucking Christ! Where the fuck do I sign up for an insurance policy that pays me for not showing up for work? Oh. Shit. That's right. I already have one. It's called "unemployment insurance", cause if I pulled the same shit, I'd get my ass fired.

   Now, I'm not saying this is a scam, but it sure seems a little self serving for KW to get paid for not working. I just wonder if this is the same insurance company that covered the loss from Kween Kim's "robbery" in Paris, when she had her jewelry snatched. I have yet to hear if French police have made any headway on that. Or is Inspector Clouseau overseeing that investigation.

   Sorry, got off topic there. At the risk of slandering KW, I won't tell you exactly how I feel about him, but I will let my feelings be known about his "music", if you can call it that. Maybe I'm just (way) to old to pick up on what he's laying down, but "rap" to me is the musical equivalent of a combination of projectile vomiting and explosive diarrhea.

   And Kanye, if you are genuinely ill, I don't wish you any further distress. If this IS a con, grow up you kunt.

   'Nuff said.

Yeah, Sure. O-kay

   So, that's the logo for the NHL's 31st team, the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Whoop-de-fucking-do. Seriously, how fucking un-inspiring is that? Better question: Who came up with it, and how much were they paid?!? You know the name will be shortened to "Vegas Knights", and all that entails in Sin City.

   I suppose it could be worse. They could be called the "Gamblers" or even worse still, name them after a very popular dice game played there. The "Vegas Craps". Which might be an option for them if the team plays as poorly as say, the Toronto Maple Leafs. At least it's better than calling them something like "The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim".

   The question I have for Commissioner Gary Bettman is why not give Quebec City a team again? Oh, yeah. Money. Vegas is swimming in it. Quebec ain't. And this move (like naming a team "The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim" after a fucking Disney movie) is among the many reasons I gave up on the NHL years ago. There are too many teams, the season is way too long, and the playoffs go on for fucking ever. I fact, someone once figured out that if a woman got pregnant on the first day of the regular season (not the pre-season), there's a very good chance she'd spit the kid out before the Stanley Cup was decided. If the final went 7 games. That's too long.

  Rather than expand, contract. Shut down the money losing teams, and there are a few, and scale back the league to say 24 teams.

   And make the playoffs like baseball. Top team gets into the divisional final, next 2 play a 1 game "wild card" to see who advances. That'd streamline the whole she-bang. And it would avoid the race to hospital after the wife goes into labour just ahead of O.T in game 7 of the final.

   Rant over

   'Nuff said.