Damn, shit is depressing. And so entrenched and widespread that it just feels so hopeless. Ugh.

Mr. Peabody killed a mouse in the middle of the night last week. He tore the sheetrock to get to it.

That is hardcore, Mr. Peabody! Get it!

Mr. Peabody killed a mouse in the middle of the night last week. He tore the sheetrock to get to it. He lets nothing get between him and the rodent he smells. I've seen him trying to chew through landscape timbers. Now I have your traditional mouse hole, and Mr Peabody has spent every night since watching it.

He hates meeses to pieces!

Still not able to spend much time on computer. As to police, yes systematic, but goes back much further. Policing of non-whites in America has always been an occupying army. Increased militarization simply makes it worse and spreads to more neighborhoods. Not hopeless, just not a matter of tinkering around the edges. Need to fundamentally change what police are. I know there are police who are not bad people individually, but there is not much they can from inside their system. Police as occupying army has been a problem from the beginning. Robert Peel who essentially invented the modern police force has been quoted a great deal by some bloggers to show what is wrong with occupation army policing. But if you look at history, even under Peel, police in certain neighborhoods in London, (for example Whitechapel) did act like an occupying army, even not carrying guns.

And for that matter militarization of the police reflects militarization of just about every nation in the world. It is a global problem. For example, most populated counties in the U.S. have had "anti-terrorism" training from Israel. In essence, they are being trained to treat US citizens the way Israel treats Palestinians in the West Bank. That does not make what is happening here the fault of Israel. That particular training is sought by the US; Israel is not forcing it on anyone or even going out of its way to sell it. But it does show how different kinds of oppression feed on one another. (Incidentally, I've heard a lot of comparisons to Gaza and Ferguson. I may even have retweeted a few. But on reflection, I think the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank is a better comparison.)

The next person to argue "but the looters" with me is gonna get an earful. How about this? Take all those cops and spread them out along the major business streets and at the shopping centers to protect the businesses. They obviously aren't there to protect the public. Maybe then the protestors can have their say and the media can actually do their jobs without suffering flash bangs, tear gas, and rubber bullets. It could almost be like observing the 1st amendment.

Timelies all!

Sleepy cat is sleepy.

I am kind of in love with this misdirected email I just got, but I don't know why:

Dear Jane,

I thought I would write to say thank you again. I try to keep in contact with my customers for two very important reasons. First and foremost, I want to be sure you are satisfied with my performance as a Sales Consultant. My job is not just to sell you a vehicle, but to make sure you are completely satisfied long after the sale. The second reason I attempt to stay in touch is to generate more sales.

As it is for most salespeople, a majority of my business comes from referrals. I would certainly appreciate the opportunity to help any of your family or friends with the purchase of their next new or used automobile.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. Please call me if there are any questions you might have.

It's just so awkward!

Well, I'm back from Michigan. My dad is doing well but I'm not confident he's going to make any life changes to keep from having yet another heart attack. Still smoking, still eating bacon cheeseburgers, probably not going to stick with a 40 hour work week unless we go behind his back and tell people at his workplace.

I'm wearing an ankle brace again because I foolishly played tag with my nieces to keep them from trying to get their grandpa to do things he wasn't supposed to do. And my roommate woke up with some bug bites today and has been freaking out all morning that it's bed bugs. Professionals seem to have talked her down from that ledge.

I think I'm going to have to do a lot of meditating today to keep myself from cutting someone.

Unfortunately grown-ups with all their faculties are going to do what grown-ups do.

My dad is doing well but I'm not confident he's going to make any life changes to keep from having yet another heart attack.

Unfortunately grown-ups with all their faculties are going to do what grown-ups do.

Oh, yeah. Shrift, I am with you in the "Dad, seriously, cut that shit out now or your heart will do unspeakable things and if I could force you to cut that shit out I would" club. (We need a shorter club name.)

And I realize this is a hilarious and ironic follow-up, but HOLY CRAP, TJ's HAS GLUTEN-FREE CHICKEN NUGGETS.

I have an unholy love for chicken nuggets, even though I only eat them maybe once or twice a month if I need to make a quick meal and no other quick protein option is in the freezer. (I mean, I get that one cannot subsist on chicken nuggets for optimum -- or even decent -- health. I get that. Which is why I don't eat them often. But oh dear lord do I love them.)