People, I need some kind of forgiveness. A friend just posted a photo of her sons at the beach on Facebook, and I thought to myself, "Damn, son 2 is hot." The sons are about 18 and 15, and the one I ogled was the younger one. Whom I knew well when he was, like, 9.

The whole US political theme has moved me beyond outrage to a sincere desire for separatism. Unfortunately I and most people I care about are deep within the swirling mass of lying crazy. If it were geographically possible, I'd love to say to the Republicans, "You want to get on without any government? Awesome. You take those 25 states and enjoy your delightful tax-free existence. We'll take these, tax appropriately, and provide health care, education, and government services at levels similar to those of other industrialized nations. And in 30 years we can compare notes, if there's anyone left in your pseudo-feudal hell hole that can still read."

I'd miss my nephew.

I cannot believe this shirt. So wrong, on so many levels. I'm aghast, and HuffPo was pretty much endorsing the principle.

I remember as recently as 1996 watching both conventions on TV, and at that time, the Republicans didn't make me apoplectic with RAAAAAAAAAAAGE. I still didn't vote Republican, but they weren't all mashups of Ebeneezer Scrooge, Monty Burns, and Snidely Whiplash, either.

There is no way on god's green earth you could get me to watch any coverage of the Republican convention this year.

LOL flea. I forgive you: it's not like you're going to do anything, you are just appreciating the visuals.

Here's something fun for your morning: [link]

Wacky photos from a fashion show in Stockholm.

You only need forgiveness if you left that as a comment.

Foodie New Yorkers: Alinea is taking over 11 Madison Park for two weeks in Sept/Oct. So, if you've got an extra $400 or so lying around...

Good lord, I had the trampire shirt up on my screen when someone came to talk to me, and I could not get off that screen or close the app without drawing total attention to it. I hope he couldn't read it.

The spirit with which I play nice with annoying co-worker is nicely passive aggressive. So today is her birthday as I said (and she brings up to people over and over again). So I said we should go to lunch, she invites another admin along. After much cajoling she finally selects a place and we go and it is fine and food is good. When bills come, we have it split 3 ways and neither of us go to pay for her food. Not sure if she was expecting it, but for most other people I would have bought on their birthday. not her, just the invitation to go with her, because that is more than I wanted to do.

Happy birthday, meara and Jen K!

Glad NOLAistas and family of 'istas are all okay.

>it is a bit weird to be "the person I know in NOLA." ...It isn't bad, and I'm not judging, just an odd feeling.

smonster, that sort of thing is like an existential shock for me. It's a weird feeling. Other people are thinking and talking about me! It's proof that other people exist separate from me, and I exist in other people's minds even when I'm not with them.

I watched the RNC on msnbc and muted everyone who wasn't Maddow, McDonnell, and their cronies. It was entertaining that way. Maddow is just so damned cheerful. It's like she's at the circus. McDonnell was funny as hell, comparing Romney to Prince Charles dropped into New Guinea and trying to comprehend the natives.

Man, it would be cool if this civil union gets to remain in effect.

Yes, it would. I'd like to be able to follow that story, but I'm afraid it'll slip past me.

The whole US political theme has moved me beyond outrage to a sincere desire for separatism. Unfortunately I and most people I care about are deep within the swirling mass of lying crazy. If it were geographically possible, I'd love to say to the Republicans, "You want to get on without any government? Awesome. You take those 25 states and enjoy your delightful tax-free existence. We'll take these, tax appropriately, and provide health care, education, and government services at levels similar to those of other industrialized nations. And in 30 years we can compare notes, if there's anyone left in your pseudo-feudal hell hole that can still read."

Sadly, I'm with you, Calli. Can we put up a big fence between America and Uhmurikah? I am reminded of Jefferson saying something like Democracy is legalized mob rule; the majority imposes their desires on the minority, whether they agree or not. These days, it's not the majority; it's the loudest liars and most brazen lawbreakers.