a rifle and a deer head superimposed over the flag.

Well, a rifle and a deer are probably the closest thing to a state emblem, outside of Philly.

It's possible I live in a very Podunk state (why is autocorrect capitalizing Podunk?). Two of the hot news stories on the website of arguably the biggest news station in the state are the recovery of stolen tools--albeit several thousand dollars worth--and the discovery of a missing heavy construction vehicle in a church parking lot. OK, there's also a story about human trafficking/prostitution, but the other top stories are changes to camper parking in a national park and Netflix' stock. Oh, and BYU sports, but I "understand" why that's big news.

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee my new kitchen gadget is here! I am all atwitter and don't know what to sous vide first!

Hard-cooked eggs. Does not require vacuum-sealing and I'm super interested in the results.

Ooh, you can just put the eggs right in? Cool!

I have lost power! Along with much of my neighborhood, for no weather reason. So I guess I'll read outside until it gets dark and then go to bed!

Bummer on the lost power! but reading outside and then bed sounds like a nice plan.

Yes, right in the shells! I don't know why that's exciting, but it is. Boy, that circulating current is more substantial than I was picturing. It's a regular egg jacuzzi right now.

I hope I get to enjoy Bobby Jindal being humiliated on a national stage.

Having gone to college with the guy, I want this more than almost anything I can imagine wanting from the upcoming campaign.

Okay, except for maybe Bernie riding in to DC on a unicorn trailing clouds of Single Payer and VICTORY.

But seriously, my reaction to Jindal's entire political career closely parallels Teppy's reaction to Paul Ryan. Everything I already hate about his political positions is multiplied by "wait, THAT guy??? The one with the pretentious as fuck column in the Daily Herald??"

In apolitical news (FREEDOM!!!), Mycroft T. Cat had a grand adventure today -- he apparently slipped out unnoticed in the morning when I went to rescue my coffee cup from the car, because he was waiting on the porch when I got home. Strolled in like it was totally normal, took a looong nap, and ever since has been yelling to go back outside.

I don't think so, boyo. You are an indoor cat, and an indoor cat you shall remain. And if I see you selling your rebel flag over the internet and creating myths about how it's really all about your glorious lost cause and not about escaping from the house...

Yes, right in the shells! I don't know why that's exciting, but it is.

It is!

The power came back, phew. I'm still going to try to go to bed early, though.

Hard-cooked eggs. Does not require vacuum-sealing and I'm super interested in the results.

I was really excited when I learned (thank you, internet!) how to hard-boil eggs so that the shell doesn't stick to the egg when you peel it. Everyone says the secret is to use old eggs, but even with new eggs, the thing that's worked for me is to bring the water to a boil and then put the cold eggs in. I haven't had any trouble peeling them since I started doing that (I used to put the eggs in the cold water and then bring it all up to a boil, and the shells stuck like crazy).