Laelth
Laelth's JournalThe ARP passed. Merrick Garland will be AG. It's time to celebrate!
The United States has finally returned to LIBERAL GOVERNMENT.
It has been 52 years since the United States enjoyed truly, liberal government. The last time was during the LBJ Administration (1963-69). At this point, the Biden administration is knocking my socks off. It’s truly liberal in a way that we have not seen in my entire lifespan. I am thrilled—cautiously optimistic—no ... thrilled!
Celebration is in order. In honor of the passage of the ARP and the confirmation of Merrick Garland, I offer the following from McFadden & Whitehead:
Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now
At last, we have liberal government again. It’s a massive relief. Tears are appropriate. Dancing works too.
-Laelth
In honor of the passage of the ARP and the confirmation of Merrick Garland ...
... I offer the following from McFadden & Whitehead:
Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now
At last, we have liberal government again. It’s a massive relief. Tears are appropriate. Dancing works too.
-Laelth
GD! My chest hurts. 03-06-21 UPDATE.
LOL. Sorry, I just couldn’t help but use “GD” in this context and in this forum.
Blame Tom Brady and an obnoxious wizard. For more context, see here:
What would you do? 03-06-21 UPDATE. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181479236
And here:
What would you have done? 03-05-21 UPDATE. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181478907
Thanks, in advance, for the sympathy. Things are still pretty rough in Laelth’s World in the Free State of Van Zandt. The Daughter and I are in serious “It’s better to laugh than to cry” mode. Thanks for laughing with us.
-Laelth
Edited to add:
For those following our “updates” on the 2021 Texas Deep Freeze, we continue to have electricity and running water. No more leaks in the trailer have appeared. That said, it’s still cold (for us). The current temperature is 52 degrees, and we’re heading for a low of 37 tonight.
What would you do? 03-06-21 UPDATE.
It’s third and 10. You’re playing free safety, and in passing situations (given the current defense), it’s your job to cover the tight end. Tom Brady is the quarterback, and his team is lined up in a T formation with two wide outs and the tight end on the right. You line up about 5 yards off the line with the tight end directly between you and Brady. Brady hikes the ball and the offensive line comes out to block while moving left. OK. Run play. The fullback moves left, blocking for running back. Fine. Standard sweep left. Brady moves to hand off to the running back and the tight end comes out to block you so that you can’t charge in and pull down the running back from behind.
But the tight end “misses” you. The running back has the ball guarded with both hands and is barreling left behind his blocking fullback, and Brady rolls back to the right to get out of the way ... except Tom Brady still has the ball, and you’re the only player on the Defense who hasn’t been fooled by the fake hand off. Brady needs 10 yards. You know that the tight end is somewhere behind you and wide open. If you drop back to cover the tight end, it’s likely that Brady can scramble and get the necessary yardage. Tom Brady is now about 7 or 8 yards away from you, and your momentum is toward him at this point. What would you do? You have less than a second to decide.
I decided to rush him. This is a quote from a post below.
And then ... BLAM! Tom Brady was a lot harder than I imagined he would be.
When I woke up from the concussion (I had some minor scrapes and bruises, but my head took the brunt of the impact), I found myself on my floor. Once again, I had been sleeping sitting-up, toward the end of my bed, and I had been dreaming.
This happened about two weeks ago. My dreams are horribly vivid, these days, and I occasionally ACT on them. I need baby bed-rails again.
That said, Tom Brady didn’t do nearly as much damage as the floor of Bag End did when that obnoxious wizard refused to take the ring.
What would you have done? 03-05-21 UPDATE. https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1018&pid=1478907
-Laelth
What would you have done? 03-05-21 UPDATE.
Just imagine ... you’re a highly-educated, pampered, aristocratic hobbit living in a manor in the Shire, and you discover that your eccentric uncle, who up and disappeared one day, also left you all of his property and dropped on the floor, on his way out, ... a ring. It’s a simple ring with no markings, but it exudes power and magic. It’s just sitting there on your floor. Naturally, you pick it up.
Then, along comes a wizard ... an ancient, mysterious being and a “friend” of yours (if wizards have friends), and this dude tells you that what you’re holding is actually THE ONE RING, forged by Sauron in the depths of Mount Doom ... the one ring that was designed to bind the other rings to itself and control all the free races of Middle Earth. You hold in your hand the ultimate weapon of mass destruction.
What’s worse, this obnoxious wizard tells you that Sauron knows that the ring is in the Shire and that it’s in the custody of a Baggins! He’s coming for it now! You and all you love are in positive, immanent danger because of this ring.
What would you do?
Well, naturally, you would want to give it away. You’re not interested in ultimate power. You’re far more interested in good food and pipe weed. You might say to the wizard, “Take it. You must take it.” You would hold out your hand. You would reach for the wizard with all your might. When the wizard protested, “No! I can not take it!,” you might reach out even further toward him, stretching toward him and desperately pleading ... “You MUST take this ring!”
And then ... BLAM. You might hit the floor and wake up from your dream in significant pain. Your daughter might have been watching “Fellowship of the Ring,” and you might have been sleeping, sitting upright, again, at the end of your bed. You WERE watching the movie, you might swear. You just dozed off.
In addition, you might have just dislocated your shoulder pretty badly. You may also have cracked a rib. Today, 2 days after the incident, I still have very limited use of my right arm and a highly limited range of motion, but I can type. The shoulder is going to heal. The rib, on the other hand, is a real bear. It sucks when it hurts to breathe. Sleeping on it is nearly impossible. Getting dressed is a nightmare. Driving is completely out of the question.
I am trying to stay ahead of the pain with over-the-counter meds, and I remain functional, but the rib is going to take a while to heal.
Damn wizard! Why wouldn’t he just take the stupid ring?
-Laelth
This is ... pretty much back to normal. 03-03-21 UPDATE.
I am pleased to report that things are “pretty much” back to normal in Laelth’s World in the Free State of Van Zandt (East Texas). It’s currently 39 degrees outside. We’re expecting a high of 66 today. If the current, 10-day forecast is accurate, we will not dip below freezing any time soon. We nearly reached freezing last night, but not quite. As of today, it appears that the Great Texas Freeze of 2021 is over.
Daughter and I are also pleased to report that we have a new toilet, a new kitchen faucet, and that all of our internal water lines have been replaced. We have a new, external, waste-water hose, and a new water regulator. We offer our sincere thanks to our DU friends for making all this possible. Honestly, you did. Thank you.
🙏🏾
Here’s how it went down. We returned to the trailer Monday afternoon. At that point, there were no apparent leaks in the trailer. Within an hour, however, our floor was flooded again, but our plumber got on the project immediately, and we were tentatively dry by 8:00 PM on Monday. We have experienced no leaks since. Fingers crossed.
The plumbing in our laundromat in the park was destroyed by the freeze and is being replaced now. It will be a few days before we can wash clothes, but, otherwise, things seem to be back to normal. Our internet access is abysmal. To us, that’s pretty normal. We’re in an internet dead zone. During the freeze we had remarkably good internet service, but that was because roughly half of the county’s population evacuated. They have returned, now, and our internet access is as poor as ever.
Our Governor remains an idiot. That actually “feels” normal. He recently “reopened” the entire state and eliminated all mask requirements. Daughter and I will continue to mask up, obviously, but mask-wearing has always been been considered “optional” among the VERY free people of the Free State of Van Zandt, and that has been true throughout the pandemic. Now, we expect to see mask-wearing and social distancing completely disappear.
Neither the Daughter nor I are eligible for a vaccine yet. No telling when we might be eligible. The park is still flooded in a number of places. No telling when management might be able to finally fix all of the park’s underground water leaks. We’re applying for FEMA rental assistance. That’s not actually “normal.” That’s a product of the Biden administration’s emergency declaration. Thank you, Mr. President.
I suspect that this will be our final post in the This is bad ... series. I can not conclude without mentioning my sincere gratitude for the love, concern, prayers, advice, positive vibes, and material support generously given to us by the DU community. You all made a significant, positive contribution to our lives and well-being. If there is ever anything that we can do for you, please let us know.
-Laelth
Previous “This is bad.” threads are linked below, solely for their historical value.
This is bad. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181470783
This is bad. 02-16-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181470956
This is bad. 02-17-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181471625
This is bad. 02-18-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181472034
This is bad. 02-19-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181472438
This is bad (but not too bad). 02-20-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181472943
This is really irritating. 02-21-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181473645
This is ... amazing and touching. 02-22-21 UPDATE. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181474282
This is different. 02-23-21 UPDATE. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181474689
This is even more different. 02-24-21 UPDATE. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181475140
This is interesting, but it’s getting old. 03-01-21 UPDATE. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181477352
This is interesting, but it's getting old. 03-01-21 UPDATE.
It’s now 46 degrees in North Dallas, TX, where the Daughter and I have been hanging out in a motel room for the past five days as we wait for a plumber to repair the damage done to our trailer in the Free State of Van Zandt (East Texas). Our plumber has already replaced both the kitchen faucet and the toilet. He plans to tackle the leaks behind the walls and under the cabinetry today, but today we have to check out and return to the trailer. The likelihood that we will have running water (without leaks) when we arrive is low, but we have no choice. We must go.
The temperatures here, yesterday, reached 73 degrees. I was in shorts. This morning it’s 46 with a wind chill that makes it feel like 43 degrees. Back to jeans and socks. We’re doing well, under the circumstances, but we would be very happy to return to a more stable life. A motel room 70 miles away from home is great when your home lacks running water, but we feel helpless and useless. We’re just waiting, and it’s depressing to know that our internal water lines still won’t be working properly when we return today. Perhaps we will have running water tomorrow.
Interesting observation:
When we left the Free State of Van Zandt early last week, it was typical to see roughly 50% of the population masked-up in public. Here, in North Dallas, over 95% of people remain masked-up in public. The difference is really quite dramatic (urban vs. rural attitudes re. masking).
Interesting anecdote:
On Saturday evening, I was returning to my room in the motel and waiting for the elevator. From down the hall, toward me, comes a black girl, maybe 9 or 10, trying to carry about 5 big blankets. She’s dragging one of them on the floor. She’s embarrassed that she’s not carrying her load well. She smiles at me, drops the load, gathers it up again, and carries it. Behind her is a black woman in her forties, and, in addition to her room key and purse, is carrying about 4 big blankets. She’s struggling with them, but she manages to keep them off the floor.
I smile at her (and her daughter or, perhaps, granddaughter), and say, “You’ve got plenty of blankets!” I hold the door to the elevator and welcome them in. Both smile, but neither responds to me. I say, “Well, you know you’re gonna be warm.” The adult woman says to me, “Yes, sir. It might get cold again.”
I was stunned ... puzzled. We were in a heated hotel/motel. Electricity has been consistent for over a week. The weather forecast had no prediction of freezing temperatures in the next ten days. Why did this woman want all of these blankets with her, inside her motel room? Why not leave the blankets in her vehicle?
I have only one reasonable guess ... a form of shell-shock. This woman isn’t taking any chances. For all I know, she’s already lost one or more loved ones to the deep freeze, or to COVID, or both. She’s gonna have her blankets. The fact that the motel has electricity today doesn’t mean that it will have electricity tomorrow. The fact that the weather is tolerable today doesn’t mean that the weather won’t be brutal tomorrow.
Shell-shock from the Texas deep freeze appears to be a real phenomenon.
More tomorrow.
-Laelth
Previous “This is bad.” threads are linked below, solely for their historical value.
This is bad. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181470783
This is bad. 02-16-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181470956
This is bad. 02-17-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181471625
This is bad. 02-18-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181472034
This is bad. 02-19-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181472438
This is bad (but not too bad). 02-20-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181472943
This is really irritating. 02-21-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181473645
This is ... amazing and touching. 02-22-21 UPDATE. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181474282
This is different. 02-23-21 UPDATE. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181474689
This is even more different. 02-24-21 UPDATE. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181475140
This is even more different. 02-24-21 UPDATE.
It’s now 66 degrees in Terrell, TX, heading for a high of 70 today. That’s a big change from the zero degree temperatures that this area endured only a week ago during the Great Texas Freeze. Today, the Daughter and I are moving once again. We’re headed to more comfortable amenities in North Dallas thanks to the greater availability of motel rooms and the generosity of some of our dearest friends. Thank you!
We’re looking forward to the change, but we’re still worried about when we may be able to return to our home—such as it is—in the Free State of Van Zandt (East Texas). Our plumber is still working on his daughter’s house. Our alternate plumber has not been in touch with us. Admittedly, we spoke to them and made tentative arrangements on Monday. It’s only Wednesday, now, and neither one promised us when they would be able to address our plumbing issues. Patience, I feel, is in order.
The “boil order” for all tap water in Van Zandt county has been lifted. Presumably, water pressure is now high enough to properly filter the water and make it potable. That’s some good news, but, otherwise, we have nothing more to report today.
We remain safe, dry, fed, and comfortable even if we are, effectively, homeless. We send our best to you all and thank you for the continued concern, prayers, support, and good vibes.
-Laelth
Previous “This is bad.” threads are linked below, solely for their historical value.
This is bad. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181470783
This is bad. 02-16-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181470956
This is bad. 02-17-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181471625
This is bad. 02-18-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181472034
This is bad. 02-19-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181472438
This is bad (but not too bad). 02-20-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181472943
This is really irritating. 02-21-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181473645
This is ... amazing and touching. 02-22-21 UPDATE. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181474282
This is different. 02-23-21 UPDATE. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181474689
This is different. 02-23-21 UPDATE.
It’s a balmy 48 degrees in Terrell, TX. We’re headed for a high of 73. It’s shorts weather!
The daughter and I have evacuated our trailer in the Free State of Van Zandt in favor of a nice, dry motel room with running water (now that motel rooms are actually available). A dear pair of old friends, whom I have known since 1991, are footing the bill so that we can enjoy a little comfort as we wait for plumbing repairs on the trailer.
That’s another story. We found a plumber that we trust. He lives in the park, and management has used his services in the past to handle various jobs. He has promised to get to us next. When “next” will be, we have no idea.
Our plumber is currently working on his daughter’s house. Obviously, she takes priority. When I spoke to him yesterday, he had just got done doing about 14 hrs. of work on her house, and he wasn’t finished yet. Things appear to be working in a pattern that is being repeated across the state. Plumber fixes obvious leak. Pressure returns to the system, and that increased water pressure causes something else to bust. Rinse and repeat. My plumber was only half-sarcastic when he predicted that he might end up replumbing his daughter’s entire house.
No clue when he might get by to start working on our trailer, but he was hesitant to even throw out a ballpark estimate. It’s impossible to know how much is broken until he gets in there, fixes something, and then looks for the next leak. I am already aware of three, separate leaks. There are probably more.
This is a nightmare, but we extend our sincere thanks to all our friends. We are safe, dry, and sleeping in a facility with running water. We continue to be thankful for the love, prayers, emotional support, and good vibes that have been showered upon us by the DU community. Y’all are the best!
-Laelth
Previous “This is bad.” threads are linked below, solely for their historical value.
This is bad. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181470783
This is bad. 02-16-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181470956
This is bad. 02-17-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181471625
This is bad. 02-18-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181472034
This is bad. 02-19-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181472438
This is bad (but not too bad). 02-20-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181472943
This is really irritating. 02-21-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181473645
This is ... amazing and touching. 02-22-21 UPDATE. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181474282
This is ... amazing and touching. 02-22-21 UPDATE.
Good morning, DU. What can I say? I am touched and deeply appreciative for the love and the generosity of spirit of this community. Yesterday, the Daughter launched a GoFundMe to help us cover the necessary costs of repairs to the trailer in which we live—an RV beset by burst pipes, hoses, and valves caused by the Texas Deep Freeze. The response of the community was swift and overwhelming.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/laelths-tx-deep-freeze-recovery-fund
What can we say but thank you all, so very much. A great weight has been lifted from us. We truly were not sure how we were going to be able to pay for the needed repairs to our water lines. At this stage, the trick will be finding a reputable plumber who has the necessary supplies to do the work and who won’t gouge us too much. That’s my principal project for today.
It’s currently 32 degrees in the Soggy State of Van Zandt. Our low last night was 28, but that marks the official end of the Great Freeze. We are not expecting any further freezing temperatures for over a week. Now the trick will be drying out.
All the snow is gone, and while gasoline is still being rationed at local gas stations, the Daughter and I have nearly a full tank, so we’ll be fine. Electricity remains on. Internet is better than usual (because a lot of people still haven’t returned to the area, thus allowing for more available bandwidth). Essentials are in short supply at all local stores—meat, dairy, bread, and bottled water. New, post-freeze shipments are arriving, however, so we expect the shelves to be restocked within a few days.
That’s all I have for today beyond my sincere gratitude. Bless you all.
-Laelth
Previous “This is bad.” threads are linked below, solely for their historical value.
This is bad. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181470783
This is bad. 02-16-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181470956
This is bad. 02-17-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181471625
This is bad. 02-18-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181472034
This is bad. 02-19-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181472438
This is bad (but not too bad). 02-20-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181472943
This is really irritating. 02-21-21 UPDATE.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181473645
Profile Information
Gender: MaleHometown: Wills Point, TX
Home country: USA
Member since: Sat Oct 16, 2004, 01:36 PM
Number of posts: 32,017