Coping With Stress: We All Need a Relief Valve

What do you do to relieve stress?

Eat?

Drink alcohol?

Do drugs?

What gets you through the day?

We've all been prisoners - to some extent - of the pandemic. As if life itself wasn't stressful enough we're now forcefully confronted with our mortality.

The answer to meeting the increased challenges is having a relief valve.

I remember a few decades ago when screaming in a clinical setting was considered a popular trend for coping with stress. It was called Gestalt Therapy, and as far as I know is still practiced today.

I'm not endorsing this approach to dealing with stress, but it's worth sharing it as one alternative.

I think a hobby - or better yet - hobbies are a better way to deal with the woes of the world.

Take knitting for example. I remember when Ram football legend Roosevelt "Rosey" Grier, took up knitting and suddenly made it okay for men across America to indulge in the craft.

The point is, like a pressure cooker, there has to be a release valve, or we go off the "deep end" and do stupid and bad things to ourselves and others.

There's countless options from reading, writing, exercising, making crafts, playing games, etc. al.

The trick is finding a hobby(s) that meets your unique interests. If you're one of those people that already has hobbies then you know what I mean.

Getting into that "happy place" can be a life saver. 

I'll Take 10 Shares of LeBron James To Go With My 20 Shares of Michael Jordan's

I pulled out my albums of sports trading cards the other day when I heard about what's happening on Wall Street.

There's a big trend in sports collectibles that's grabbed the attention of sophisticated investors as well as smart traders, transforming card collecting from a fusty hobby into a major investment market.

According to CNN Business industry insiders know their business is benefiting from a broader market euphoria. But they don't think the boom in demand is generating a price bubble.

Instead the experts are saying the cards are now part of our culture.

But what made the difference? Why now after decades of sports collectibles piling up in collectors homes?

The short answer is the trading card renaissance was spurred by the pandemic. Stuck at home without live sports games, people began raiding their attics and basements and digging up old cards.

Overnight, trading cards were everywhere, boosted by celebrity endorsers ranging from Mark Wahlberg to Steve Aokio and Rersy co-founder Gary Vaynerchuk.

Investment professionals, flush with cash following unprecedented stimulus measures from governments and central banks has caused prices to spike.

Funds are being created. Investors are pooling their resources, causing the cards to become a viable asset.

The bottom line is everyday buyers can purchase a small stake in a LeBron James or Michael Jordan.

The big difference between cards and stock is nobody loves stock. I'm not ready to sell my top cards because I simply don't want to part with them.

It's amazing watching the cards go up in value like never before. If you're a sports collector willing to part with top cards, now is the time to do it.

Senate Republicans Are Stuck

What does the man in the photo have in common with Senate Republicans?

Here's the situation; Senate Republicans are stuck.

When it comes to convicting Trump for his attempted coup they've super glued themselves into an uncomfortable corner.

With no chance for a "Road to Damascus" moment they are stuck in a quagmire of their own making.  

With the exception of the already established Trump puppets, Senate Republicans who wish they could vote to convict Trump are stuck. They have to acquit him because of their prior vote on the constitutionality of the trial before it even began.

Even though it's a sticky situation, one Republican senator has come out mid-trial (after viewing graphic films of the Capitol insurrection) and indicated he's changed his mind and will vote to convict.

Just one. The Lone Ranger among the hapless group of stuck Republicans, who are 'keeping their powder dry" in servile silence, apparently has a conscience. A rare attribute in Washington DC.

A quick true story

A Louisiana man glued a paper cup to his face yesterday in a bid to show the heavy-duty adhesive Gorilla Glue wasn't as sticky as a recent viral video claimed.

Asked why he did such an idiotic thing the man said, "I thought I could lick it off, kind of moisten it and pull it right off, but that didn't work though." 

The comparison

The Senate Republicans who voted that the trial was unconstitutional are stuck with that procedural dodge to avoid Trump's wrath.

The man with the cup glued to his mug had it surgically removed in what doctors said was a "painful peeling process."

The lone Republican who dared break ranks is going to go through a painful political process pushed by Trump minions.

But...

in both cases there will be healing.

Another Trump 'Perfect Call' Prompts Criminal Probe in Georgia

Now there's two states that are investigating Trump for criminal offenses.

Remember Trump's first "perfect call" last year when he tried to extort the Ukrainian president to dig up dirt on Joe Biden?

It looks like Trump didn't learn his lesson the first time (thanks to a Senate that was populated by jellyfish).

Georgia joins New York in filing a criminal investigation into Trump's activities - in this case a phone call that was far from "perfect."

The investigation by Fulton County prosecutors is looking into a damning phone call that Trump made to the Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, while he was still president in which Trump begged him to "find" the votes to reverse Joe Biden's victory.

According to The New York Times there are several allegations ranging from false statements to "any involvement in violence or threats related to the election's administration."

In addition, Raffensperger's office has opened a separate investigation into the phone call.

Stay tuned.

This is going to be a bigger story than Trump's second impeachment.

More importantly, he may actually be convicted, unlike the impeachment trial with it's predetermined outcome.

Blursday Blather and the Same Old S**T

Another Blursday.

Another impeachment.

When it starts to feel like Groundhog Day every day it's time to take a break. Time to drop out, and get off the hamster wheel.

So, I'm cancelling today. 

There's nothing new under the sun. The same story that's been plaguing the planet - the pandemic - is a daily challenge to stay alive.

Trump is still headline news although he's no longer the president. And not just for the impeachment hearings that start today, but for all the other court cases he faces now as a civilian.

Racism is still rampant. Anti-Semitism still lurks in every corner of our society. 

White grievance politics still fuel militia groups and other wackos like QAnon followers.

Most Americans have no respect for the "other side" as division is a driving force that fuels hatred throughout the country.

No.

I'm letting this day pass without recognition. I'm going to focus on a peaceful day without the same old shit.

You might try doing the same.

Meet The Newly Revived 'No Nothing Party'

Once upon a time in American history there was a group called The Know Nothing Party - a nativist  political party which operated nationwide in 1855.

The Know Nothing Party was xenophobic and known for its crazy conspiracy theories. It's roots trace back to 1853 when a group of cretins formed a secret society known as the Order of the Star Spangled Banner.

Later it was renamed the Know Nothing Party. There was an initiation rite called "Seeing Sam" and members had to be pureblooded pedigree of Protestant Anglo-Saxon stock. Catholics were outright rejected.

Like most secret societies the members weren't allowed to talk about their secret society. If asked anything by outsiders, they would respond with, "I know nothing."

 UPDATE

They're back! 

The 21st century has seen a revival of the Know Nothings among conservatives.

Like their predecessors, xenophobia is one of the hallmarks of the modern day Republicans who have chosen to believe in conspiracies' - think QAnon - and white supremacy is rampant among their followers.

Terms like "fake news" is the modern equivalent of "Know Nothing" when it comes to factual occurrences.

Like the original party, the new "Know Nothings" are spread out across the nation and are poisoning political discourse today.

What's left of the GOP had better find it's identity again as members are flocking to the new game in town where facts and racism are constant talking points.

Super Bowl LV Sacrifices: The Gods of Football Demand a Show

We all know what's going to happen tomorrow.

We've seen the show must go on attitude in every holiday last year, regardless of the consequences. Over 450,000 Americans have died from the deadly virus which is still raging throughout the country.

In America the Super Bowl is bigger than Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Valentines Day combined. 

It's sure to be another super spreader event.

Despite warnings from health experts to follow COVID guidelines for safety, many Americans would rather gather for social events, and just take a chance no one will get infected.

Holidays may have changed outwardly during the pandemic, but what goes on in our homes and communities is a different story.

The Gods of Football must be appeased. 

The money mongers of football know that fans will be sacrificed.

 It's a price both team owners and ardent fans are willing to take. 

Watching fans of every political persuasion dressed up in team colors is like viewing pigskin acolytes attending quarters while the greedy gods sell memorabilia during breaks in the action.

And the show goes on... the 21st Century version of Football Fans for Life... and Death.

A Conversation With Butters: My Dog Really Had a Lot To Say Today

Most pet owners agree that their animals can talk.

The rest of the human race thinks those pet owners are light in the frontal lobe.

Who cares?

Now I can get on with sharing what my dog (whose a miniature Italian Greyhound) Butters had to say this morning.

On politics

Butters: I'm giving Joe Biden high marks for reintroducing animals into The White House. I love their story, especially Major's. He's a rescue dog. Champ has been a member of the family since 2008.

Dave: It sure was nice seeing the centuries-old-tradition of having a First Pet restored.

Congress is proof that dogs are smarter than politicians. You can put every breed of dog in one room - as long as there's food and water - and they'll get along.

It's not so with the pathetic packs of politicians in The House and the Senate.

On People in General

Butters: When a dog roams around in public barking at humans they capture it and take it to an animal shelter to be evaluated.

But when extremist humans disrupt gatherings of any kind with vicious lies and threats to kill others who don't believe like them, they can hide behind the First Amendment.

Dave: So you think humans are all hypocrites?

Butters: No doubt about it. 

On Religion

Butters: Dogs are more holy than humans.

Dave: I'm going to challenge that pal. What's your proof?

Butters: Spell dog backwards! That's right. GOD. Coincidence? I think not.

On Society

Butters: I really wonder how humans walk and chew gum some time. The crazy things they do. 

Did you hear about that rapper who had a $23 million dollar diamond implanted on his forehead?

Dave: Well... 

Butters: Or, that guy who got his entire body tattooed?

Dave: Well...

Butters: Or, that guy who lived in an airport for four months before being caught?

Dave: Okay. I got your point. But dogs can be weird too, so don't get all high and mighty with me, or I won't share my leftovers with you.

That's it for today folks. Butters and I may be back again to explore this crazy world we all live in.

Conspiracy Media and Goons Are Being held Accountable: Smartmatic Sues Fox, Giuliani, Powell for $2.7 Billion

This should be interesting.

Some accountability is finally coming for conspiracy wackos who falsely claimed the presidential election was stolen from Trump.

Smartmatic had enough of the lies being spread by Fox News (three hosts: Lou Dobbs, Maria Bartiromo, and Jeanine Pirro) Rudy Giuliani, and Sidney Powell, and have decided to fight back. 

The voting technology company has filed a $2.7 billion lawsuit TODAY to hold them all accountable for waging a "disinformation campaign" that jeopardized the company's very survival.

The lawsuit, filed in New York state court, says the plaintiffs "needed a villain" because they believed the election was stolen, and purposely misled the public.

Hopefully Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit is just the tip of the iceberg against the extreme right's BIG LIE.

Stay tuned.

Getting High Has a New Meaning Now With Hemp Made and Powered Plane

What's that in the sky?

Is it Superman? 

A UFO? 

No.

It's the world's first airplane made from hemp, and powered by hemp oil.

The construction of this new high flyer makes more sense than most people realize. 

The reason is that hemp is 10 times stronger than steel. 

In addition, hemp is lighter than traditional aerospace materials (such as aluminum and fiberglass) so it requires less fuel to reach a high altitude. 

Kudos to Hempearth, a Canadian cannabis firm for their innovative use of hemp in aviation. 

Stay tuned for the high flyer's first flight which is set to take place at The Wright Brother's Memorial in Kitty Hawk North Carolina - the birthplace of aviation.

Don't Believe Punxsutawney Phil - Climate Warming Has Changed Everything

This morning I watched (with my usual skeptical attitude) that overstuffed rodent Punxsutawney Phil emerge from his hole and claim we're getting six more weeks of  winter.

The famous groundhog made his appearance at 7:25 a.m. EST via a livestreamed event because of COVID-19 restrictions.

This is going to be hard for some people to read but... Punxsutawney Phil is wrong!

One of the reasons I know this is a much younger (and more alert) groundhog, Staten Island Chuck, contradicted Phil and called for an early spring this morning.

The other reason is self-explanatory: there's no way that an overweight groundhog can predict the weather with Global Warming changing everything almost daily.

Meteorologists and TV weather forecasters are lucky if they actually predict the weekly weather report. Six weeks out? Forget about it.

If, by some chance (a real tiny one) Phil turns out to be right, then he needs to be livestreamed daily in lieu of incompetent scientists and weather forecasters on TV.

I'm flexible.